Friday 26 October 2012

National Library to pilot self service newspaper access

The National Library of Ireland has announced that it intends to trial a self-service system for newspaper researchers using the Main Reading Room at Kildare Street.

The pilot run will see the Irish Independent from 1891 to 2011 on open access. Researchers will simply help themselves, one reel at a time, to microfilms in the Microfilm Reading Room.

If the system is successful and proves popular, more of the most widely-used newspapers will be added to the self-service arrangements.

Before the trial starts, however, microfilms of the Irish Independent have to relocate to their new residence. To facilitate a speedy migration, they will be unavailable on Friday 2 November and Saturday 3 November. The paper will still be available via Irish Newspaper Archive (free at the NLI) on those days.

Further details at the NLI website.