Newspapers, magazines and periodicals

Introduction

Find newspapers and magazines in branch libraries, the Central Library or online using the headings below.

If you want to request a particular article and have the details, for a small charge you can use our request service.

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Central Library

The Central Library provides a wide variety of local and national newspapers, and magazines.

• Today's newspapers are on display in the Reference Reading Room.
• Back issues are available via the Reference desk.
• Current music titles are displayed in the Music Library. Find lists of current and historical music titles on page 2 of the music and drama collection pages.
• Current local studies titles can be requested from the Reference Library enquiry desk. Find lists of current and historical local studies titles on page 3 of the family history and local studies pages.
• Current general magazines are displayed in the Learning Centre.
• See 'online newspapers' below for details of online searchable databases of major national and local papers.
• The Central Library serials list (pdf 652Kb, 320 pages) is a complete list of our holdings of historical and current titles. You can browse it page by page, or search (using the binoculars icon).
• All periodicals are also listed on our online catalogue, but you need to know the name of the magazine or newspaper you're looking for.
• We also have a list of current Central Library titles only (pdf 104Kb, 41 pages).
• Back copies of "The Times" and some of the local newspapers can only be viewed on microfilm - check the Central Library serials list above. See also the Times Digital Archive below.
• Microfilm viewers can be booked in advance by phoning the Reference Library on 0117 903 7202. (There may be a small fee for this service, see 'Charges'.)

• Please note: some archive newspaper titles require a 2 day retrieval notice. Phone 0117 903 7202 to check.

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Branch libraries

Local libraries usually take several local and national newspapers, plus some weekly and monthly magazines.

The Branch Libraries periodicals list (pdf 99Kb, 18 pages) lists all the newspapers and magazines in branch libraries. You can browse it page by page, or search (using the binoculars icon).

To find out who holds what you can also search Library Finder using the 'By Library' option, or 'By Activities and Resources' (which include newspapers and magazines).

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World languages

Newspapers in different languages are held in some libraries.

Up-to-date lists can be found at:

• African and African Caribbean newspapers and magazines.
• Asian newspapers and magazines.
• European newspapers and magazines.

You can also search Library Finder by language.

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Online newspapers

With a library membership card you can use four newspaper online subscription services free of charge, from any library or from home.

• 19th Century British Library Newspapers 48 newspapers representing 19th century British society.
• Custom Journal Database is a searchable selection of 50 current titles.
• Newsbank is a searchable database of national and local newspapers.
• The Times Digital Archive is the full text of the Times newspaper from 1795 to 1985.

For details of how to access them, plus a range of other online services, visit our 24 Hour Library page.

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