If you research American newspapers then you know about Chronicling America. This online newspaper research site is the culmination of a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.
The National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP) as it is called has been in place for several years. The program awards funding to states to digitize 100,000 pages at a time for newspapers published between 1836-1963. The announcement of the latest awards occurred in August 2021.
Please be aware for those of you who are impatient, that all of this needs to be funded and that state and federal governments are involved as well as state institutions who do the abundance of the work. This takes money and time and of course, funding priorities have been difficult in the past few years.
Here is a chart of the award recipients, their state contact, and dates of awards. The District of Columbia is a participant. New Hampshire is the only state that has not joined as yet.
- Alabama – University of Alabama Libraries, Tuscaloosa, AL – 2020, 2018
- Alaska – Alaska State Library Historical Collections – 2020, 2018, 2016
- Arizona – Arizona Department of Libraries, Archives, and Public Records – 2017, 2012, 2010, 2008
- Arkansas – Arkansas State Archive – 2021, 2019, 2017
- California – University of California, Riverside – 2018, 2015, 2009, 2007, 2005
- Colorado – History Colorado – 2020, 2018, 2016
- Connecticut – Connecticut State Library – 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013
- Delaware – University of Delaware – 2019, 2017, 2015
- Florida – University of Florida, Gainesville – 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2005
- Georgia – Digital Library of Georgia (University of Georgia Libraries/GALILEO) – 2021, 2019, 2017
- Hawaii – University of Hawaii at Manoa – 2012, 2010, 2008
- Idaho – Idaho State Historical Society – 2017, 2015, 2013
- Illinois – University of Illinois, Urbana – 2018, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2009
- Indiana – Indiana State Library – 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011
- Iowa – State Historical Society of Iowa – 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012
- Kansas – Kansas State Historical Society – 2013, 2011, 2009
- Kentucky – University of Kentucky, Lexington – 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005
- Louisiana – Louisiana State University – 2013, 2011, 2009
- Maine – Maine State Library – 2020, 2018, 2016
- Maryland – University of Maryland, College Park – 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012
- Massachusetts – Boston Public Library – 2021
- Michigan – Central Michigan University – 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012
- Minnesota – Minnesota Historical Society – 2019, 2017, 2015, 2011, 2009, 2007
- Mississippi – Mississippi Department of Archives and History – 2017, 2015, 2013
- Missouri – The State Historical Society of Missouri – 2012, 2010, 2008
- Montana – Montana Historical Society – 2021, 2018, 2013, 2011, 2009
- Nebraska – University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries – 2018, 2016, 2009, 2007
- Nevada – University of Nevada, Las Vegas – 2018, 2016, 2014
- New Jersey – Rutgers University Libraries, the New Jersey State Archives and the New Jersey State Library – 2020, 2018, 2016
- New Mexico – University of New Mexico – 2014, 2012, 2010
- New York – The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundation – 2009, 2007, 2005
- North Carolina – University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill – 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012
- North Dakota – State Historical Society of North Dakota – 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011
- Ohio – Ohio History Connection – 2018, 2016, 2012, 2010, 2008
- Oklahoma – Oklahoma Historical Society – 2013, 2011, 2009
- Oregon – University of Oregon – 2013, 2011, 2009
- Pennsylvania – Penn State University Libraries, University Park – 2012, 2010, 2008
- Rhode Island – Providence Public Library – 2021, 2019
- Puerto Rico – University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras – 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013
- South Carolina – University of South Carolina – 2013, 2011, 2009
- South Dakota – South Dakota Department of Education – 2018, 2016, 2014
- Tennessee – University of Tennessee – 2014, 2012, 2010
- Texas – University of North Texas – 2021, 2018, 2016, 2011, 2009, 2007
- U.S. Virgin Islands – University of the Virgin Islands – 2019
- Utah – University of Utah, Marriott Libraries – 2009, 2007, 2005
- Vermont – University of Vermont – 2014, 2012, 2010
- Virginia – Library of Virginia – 2019, 2017, 2014, 2009, 2007, 2005
- Washington – Washington State Library – 2018, 2012, 2010, 2008
- West Virginia – West Virginia University Libraries – 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011
- Wisconsin – Wisconsin Historical Society – 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015
- Wyoming – University of Wyoming Libraries – 2021, 2019
Let us be thankful for what has been already accomplished and hope that the NDNP continues to thrive and grow.
Also quite useful is a series of about 40 links to interesting newspaper-related articles entitled NDNP Extras! Check it out!
4 replies on “The National Digital Newspaper Program in 2021”
will Massachusetts be joining this effort?
I hope so Helen. That is the intention. It takes two to tango – so the state must apply for an award with the NDNP to participate.
How does someone contact a state to encourage them to apply? I’ve got a major part of my ancestry in Rhode Island
Colin, I would contact The RI Historical Society. This link may help – http://www.rihs.org/newspapers-and-periodicals/