State Library acquires The Times of London digital archive

The State Library of Victoria Foundation is pleased to announce the success of its public appeal to raise funds for the purchase of The Times Digital Archive, one of the world’s most significant digital newspaper records. This invaluable historical resource is now permanently secured and available for all Victorians.

With more than eight million articles and advertisements, The Times Digital Archive supplies online access to one of the world's most famous newspapers in its original published context, from its first appearance in 1785 as the Daily Universal Register (becoming The Times in 1788) to 2010 – every word of it can be searched right down to captions, advertisements, and birth, death and marriage notices. A true newspaper of record, The Times is of invaluable assistance to genealogists, historians and all Victorians.

Michael van Leeuwen, Executive Director of the State Library of Victoria Foundation, said he was extremely grateful for the support shown by Victorians throughout the appeal.

'This is our first appeal to purchase a digital archive. Its success shows that Victorians value the resource and the work of the Library. I would like to acknowledge the generous support of Paperworld and Heritage Consultants, Lovell Chen, as well as the ongoing support of our Foundation members who made this significant acquisition possible.'

Sue Hamilton, Acting CEO and State Librarian, said the provision of quality online resources such as The Times Digital Archive is a priority for the Library.

'The State Library of Victoria is a Library for all Victorians, wherever they live. Online resources like The Times Digital Archive give people around Victoria, particularly those in regional areas, unprecedented access to the vast collections of their State Library. The Archive is a significant addition to the thousands of journals and articles in databases the Library subscribes to on behalf of the people of Victoria. These credible, quality online information resources on almost every conceivable subject from agriculture to zoology are freely available to anyone who joins the Library.'

The Times Digital Archive can be accessed by registered Library users through the State Library of Victoria website

Victorians can register as a Library user online, by phone or in person. Library registration is free and a right of all Victorian residents.

Details at: slv.vic.gov.au/services/join-library