Newspapers can be a gold mine of historical and genealogical information, but are not always easy to find and use. While many libraries and archives have some amount of physical newspapers in their collections, digitized and microfilmed versions are preferred for public use and long-term preservation. The following is an overview of accessing newspapers printed in the Kansas City area and region.
Digitized Newspapers Online
Kansas City Newspapers
Kansas City Star/Times
- Textual issues (no images) of the Kansas City Star since 1991 are accessible with a valid KCPL library card.
- Digitized "historical" issues of the Kansas City Star and Times are available via the Newsbank Database through the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library and Midcontinent Public Library. Each library requires their own physical or electronic library card for use.
Kansas City Daily Journal of Commerce, 1865-1871; 1873-1878
Kansas City Journal, 1895-1899
The Kansas City Sun, 1914-1920
Midcontinent Public Library card holders can also access small local newspapers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries via Newspapers.com.
Missouri Newspapers
- Selected Missouri newspapers are accessible via the State Historical Society of Missouri and the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America website.
Kansas Newspapers
- Selected Kansas newspapers are accessible via the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America website. Kansas residents may also use their valid state-issued ID to access Newspapers.com through the Kansas State Historical Society.
Microform Newspapers
Note: Researchers may obtain copies of microform articles via printing, email, saving to a flash drive, or by submitting an order with the Library’s Document Delivery Department.
Major Kansas City Newspapers
Kansas City Star/Times and Kansas City Journal-Post
- An extensive newspaper clippings collection is available for use in the Missouri Valley Room. The collection is indexed by subject (places, events, businesses, people, organizations, etc.) and dates from 1900 through 1994. MVSC staff are available to assist patrons in navigating this index and locating the appropriate microfilm and microfiche.
- Complete runs of these newspapers are accessible in the Microfilm Department on the 3rd floor of the Central Library. Issues for each paper are arranged in chronological order.
Kansas City Call
- Issues of the Call, Kansas City’s long-running African-American newspaper, are available in the Microfilm Department on the 3rd Floor of the Central Library.
Missouri and Kansas Newspapers
- Smaller circulation newspapers printed in Kansas City, as well as brief runs of older newspapers printed in Missouri and Kansas, are available in the Missouri Valley Room. Click here for a complete list of titles.
- Additional newspapers may be found via the State Historical Society of Missouri and Kansas Historical Society.