The University of Oregon Libraries has been collecting and providing access to newspapers for over a century. In 1952, the Libraries established a microfilm service with a goal of preserving all available Oregon newspapers on microfilm. The UO Libraries now has the most comprehensive collection of Oregon newspapers in the state.

The Oregon Digital Newspaper Program began in 2009 and continued through 2015 with three rounds of funding from the National Digital Newspaper Program. An advisory board selected titles for digitization with a goal of assembling a list that was regionally diverse, culturally inclusive, and ideologically balanced. Thanks to the Libraries’ microfilm service, we were able to use microfilm negatives from our own collection as source material for digitization. Learn more about the historical titles selected for digitization here.

In 2015, the microfilm service ended, and the newspaper program adopted a new model of collecting and preserving current newspapers. We partner directly with publishers to collect and provide access to digital editions of current newspapers. Learn more about current newspapers here.

In 2016 ODNP shifted to a cost-recovery funding model and established an in-house digitization service with generous support from the Oregon State Library. Many of our digitization projects now occur through partnerships with historical societies, museums, libraries, and individuals who sponsor newspaper titles for digitization. We also rely on donors and grant funding for special projects.

Major Sources of Program Funding

Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) Grant: $79,883 (year 1, 2009), $50,000 (year 1 supplement), $90,880 (year 2, 2010)
(From the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Oregon State Library)

• Provides staffing funds to retain a full-time Project Manager.
• Supports general outreach efforts, with a particular focus on promoting pedagogical use of the resource in K-12 Oregon classrooms.
• Interface design for Oregon Digital Newspaper Program Search Interface
• Digitization of approx. 38,000 pages from the Portland Oregonian (supplement)

National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP): $365,393 (2009), $325,000 (2011), $235,000 (2013)
(From the National Endowment for the Humanities)

• Funds digitization of 100,000 per award year; newspaper pages published from 1846 to 1922.
• Provides access to those pages through the Library of Congress‘ Chronicling America site.
• Provides staffing support
• Provides equipment needed for inspection

Oregon Cultural Trust Funding (2009): $145,000
(From the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and Oregon Heritage Commission)

• Supports the construction of local digital infrastructure and digital file backup system.
• Allows digitization of additional, historically significant Oregon newspaper pages which might otherwise fall outside the scope and guidelines of NDNP.
• Matching funds for 2009 NDNP application

Oregon Cultural Trust Funding (2010): $36,046
(From the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and Oregon Heritage Commission)

• Allows digitization of additional, historically significant Oregon newspaper pages which might otherwise fall outside the scope and guidelines of NDNP.

Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association (2010): $1,000
(http://www.orenews.com/)

• Matching funds for 2011 NDNP application

Partnerships with Oregon public libraries, historical societies, and other heritage groups (2012-2015): $55,988.10

• View a list of ODNP partners

Private Donations: $11,100

• Become a Partner / Contribute

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