Selection Policy

How have newspaper titles and issues been selected?

In 2005 the National Library of Australia began planning the newspaper digitisation program. At the initial stage newspaper titles and years of coverage have largely been selected by State and Territory Libraries under the Australian Newspaper Plan umbrella. The main selection criteria used by the State and Territory Libraries are:

  • The newspapers must not have copyright restrictions i.e. anything before 1955 is suitable.
  • The newspaper must exist on microfilm.
  • The microfilm to be digitised must be of suitable quality and completeness.
  • Each State and Territory must have equal representation.
  • Newspapers with wide geographic coverage published before 1900 are of highest significance.

On the basis of these Guidelines State and Territory Libraries each selected one major ‘State’ title for the initial content. Some libraries had arranged for the re-microfilming of titles prior to digitisation to ensure the quality and completeness of the existing microfilm met the guidelines.

Since that time, State and Territory libraries have continued to provide information and recommendations of newspaper titles to be digitised. The libraries consider factors such as circulation statistics, historical significance and geographical coverage in their processes to select titles. In addition, suggestions by the public are provided to the State and Territory libraries to assist them in identifying popular titles.

How can I contribute a newspaper to the ANDP?

The ANDP also welcomes ‘Contributed’ content - content that has been identified and funded by individuals or institutions. Examples of titles in this category include:

Further details on how to contribute content can be found on the contributor guidelines webpage.

How will newspaper titles and issues be selected in the future?

The Library is now receiving considerable interest from libraries, historical societies, local councils and other organisations in contributing to the ANDP—resulting in a growing collection of both metropolitan and regional historic newspapers from all Australian States and Territories.

The long term objective of the program is to make freely available all Australian newspapers published prior to 1955. The Library may also make available content published after 1954 if the agreement of the publishers is obtained.

The Library is interested in providing access to digitised newspapers that reflect the diversity of the Australian community and its newspaper publishing output and has digitised some community language newspapers.

It has been estimated that approximately 7,700 newspaper titles have been published within Australia, of which only a subset would have been microfilmed. As time and funding allow, the ANDP may investigate digitisation from hardcopy material.

Where can I see the list of titles selected?

To find out which titles have already been digitised please see our available list, or alternatively see our new titles coming for what to expect in the current year.

How do I suggest a title for selection?

To suggest a title for digitisation please contact us through the Trove online form.