Over 800 Western Australian newspaper titles are held by the State Library. These range from the manuscript newspapers of the early 1830's up to currently published titles. Newspapers should be lodged with the State Library under legal deposit provisions and also under the Newspaper Libel and Registration Act of Western Australia. At least two copies of every newspaper issue published in the State are collected.
Highlights of the Collection
The coverage of the newspaper collection can be seen from the following listings.
Access to the Collection
Details of Western Australian newspaper holdings can be found by searching the State Library Catalogue . Entries can be found by title, or by subject search using the name of a town or district of publication or distribution.
Many newspaper articles with significant Western Australian subject content have been indexed by staff and there are a range of indexes available on microfiche and card up until 1990. Selected searching on the West Australian newspaper database from August 1987 to date is also available, but this is only searchable by staff. Files of article information for some popular current affair topics are also kept. Files of historical and other information about newspaper titles are kept and are available upon request.
The State Library is always looking to fill gaps in its newspaper collection and to replace issues in poor condition including titles from the 1830s to the present day. Donations and information about new titles are always welcome.