Newspapers, newsletters, and periodicals

The North Carolina Collection has current and/or back issues of these publications. Some publications are available on microfilm. Access to microfilm and print copies is available during the NCC’s open hours.

Newspapers

The Carolina Times

Edited by outspoken civil rights advocate civil Louis Austin until 1971, The Carolina Times covers Durham and North Carolina news for the African-American community under the banner “The Truth Unbridled.”
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Durham Negro Observer

An early black newspaper in Durham. It was published by the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company and was originally titled North Carolina Mutual. In 1906 it became the Durham Negro Observer.

The originals are housed at Duke University. Duke collection information can be found here.
View North Carolina Collection holding information.

The Herald-Sun

The online archive of the Durham Herald-Sun newspaper covers January 1, 1995, to the present. Microfilm is available for the Durham Morning Herald and Durham Sun from 1898-2018.
View Microfilm and Microfiche Inventory

The Herald-Sun Photograph Index

Search these indexes for full-text captions of Durham-related photographs in the Herald-Sun. Years available: 1945-1958, 1960-1966. We are actively updating this project and will add new years as they are completed.

The News and Observer

Online archive of the News & Observer newspaper, from 1/1/1991 – current. Also includes the Chapel Hill News from 5/1/2000 – current. Microfilm is available from 1967–2018. The State Library of North Carolina provides an index for the years 1926-1992. It can be found here.
View Microfilm and Microfiche Inventory

Digital Early Durham-Area Newspapers

A number of early Durham-area newspapers have been digitized and made available online through Chronicling America. Chronicling America is freely available to anyone with an internet connection and provides access to more than 12,000 million pages from 43+ US states and territories. Some local examples include:

Some of these papers are also available in the reading room on microfilm.
View Microfilm and Microfiche Inventory

Other Newspaper Databases

Black Life in America

Comprehensive coverage of the African American experience from earliest times to today. Sourced from nearly 20,000 American and global newspapers from 1704 to the present, including over 400 African American newspapers. Provides full-text searching as well as access to content by Topic, Event, and Eras in African American History. Updated daily.

Hispanic Life in America

Comprehensive coverage of the Hispanic American experience from earliest times to today. Sourced from nearly 17,500 American and global newspapers, including almost 450 Hispanic American newspapers. Provides full-text searching as well as access to content by Topic, Event, and Eras in Hispanic American History. Updated daily.

Historic North Carolina Digital Newspaper Collection

3.5 million pages of digitized content from over 1,000 NC county newspapers, including Durham County. Library card and pin required for remote access.

Newsletters and Periodicals

Consult this list for current and/or back issues of newsletters and periodicals produced by organizations in and around Durham. Date ranges and links to online versions are provided when available.

Select Publications

Independent Weekly

An alternative weekly newspaper published in Durham and distributed throughout the Research Triangle area. Print issues for 1983-2023 and print indexes for 1983-2002 are available in the North Carolina Collection reading room. Digitized indexes for 1983-2004 available through Digital NC.
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Spectator Magazine

Local newsweekly and long-time competitor to the Independent. Ceased publication in 2002.
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Our State

A monthly magazine featuring travel and history articles and photographs about North Carolina people, places and events.
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