Chadwyck-Healey (http://www.chadwyck.com) has launched Historical Newspapers Online, an electronic compilation of newspaper indexes and full-image delivery of selected newspaper articles, that stretches back over two centuries. The electronic reference tool offers international coverage through indexing of the London Times and The New York Times.Historical Newspapers Onlineencompasses indexing to more than 15 million articles for 200 years of the London Times, 1780 to 1980, and to 1.5 million articles covering the first 72 years of The New York Times, 1851 to 1923. Both leading newspapers have been called the "newspapers of record" for their respective countries. The database will also provide optional full-image access to some 1 million articles from the London Times, extending from 1785 to 1870. No full image or full text is available for The New York Times.
In preparing the database, Chadwyck-Healey staff indexed all the listings from The New York Times directly from the paper, according to a representative, while the indexing for the London Times comes from the Palmer index. Records include title, page, and column; they do not supply abstracts. In the next few years, the representative told us, they may add other newspapers to the database. However, the database will probably retain its historical character and not add current material, due to copyright restrictions. Negotiations with other suppliers could change the years of coverage, a representative did admit, however.
Chadwyck-Healey will offer Historical Newspapers Online over the Web and on CD-ROM. The company has no plans to add print or to offer it through outside vendors. Subscription prices divide into two categories. For the index-only, libraries pay $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the library book budget and simultaneous users; for the index plus full image, $3,500 to $10,000. Public libraries have a separate pricing based on total population. Whatever the pricing, to connect end users through intranets or the Internet, library subscribers must supply a way for Chadwyck-Healey to authenticate patrons, e.g., library card number, student ID, etc. Currently, there are no plans to offer any pay-as-you-go pricing options.
Chadwyck-Healey publishes scholarly reference and full-image databases covering literature, history, black studies, performing arts and music, social and political sciences, economics and statistics, bibliographies, and reference works. For more information on company products, call 800/752-0515 or e-mail mktg@chadwyck.com.
