How to find Newspapers in Lehman Library

Lehman Library has a strong collection of close to 100 current foreign newspaper titles. We also purchase local papers: the New York Times, Washington Post, Financial Times, and Wall Street Journal, Monday-Friday only. Weekend editions of the local papers and many other domestic newspaper titles are held at 401 Butler Library.

Holdings of most Columbia newspaper titles, including microfilm, are in CLIO. If you need help using CLIO, ask at the Reference or Circulation Desk. A list of Lehman Newspapers is kept at the Circulation Desk for quick reference.

Current issues (approximately 10-14 days) of the local papers are kept at the Reserves Desk.

Most foreign newspaper subscriptions are sent to us by surface mail, meaning that our most recent issues are often 4-6 weeks old. The most recent two months are kept in the Current area, while the previous ten months are held in the Backfiles section- we hold no more than one year of most newspaper titles in paper. Current issues are kept in the newspaper cases around the central area in the lower level. The current issues are arranged by geographical region, then alphabetically by title within the regions.

The Backfiles section is located in the northwest corner of the lower level. Backfiles are arranged alphabetically by title.

Newspapers do not circulate. You may make photocopies using the eight machines on the upper level of the library. Large size 11X17 copies cost 20 cents per page.

Older issues of some newspaper titles are held in microfilm. Search CLIO by title to determine if we have the title and what format it is in. Microfilm usually has a call number starting with F or FN. Lehman stores microfilm in the East Reading Room. The microfilm cabinets are against the walls.

Reader/Printer equipment is available in the Reference Room of Lehman Library. Copies cost 10 cents per page. A change machine that takes only single dollar bills and gives only dimes is available in the main lobby.

If you can’t find a newspaper that you need, double check the CLIO location to make sure we own the title. If you cannot locate an issue of a title that we own, ask for assistance at the Circulation or Reference Desk. You may also fill out an orange 3-day search form. For help locating a title not in CLIO, ask at the Reference Desk; You can also use WorldCat or Eureka on LibraryWeb to determine if another research library might hold a title you are looking for. Many newspaper titles are now available on the Internet or through other electronic services.