![[VIC] Free Access to Digital Newspapers Online (The Age, Herald Sun, AFR, The Australian etc.) @ State Library Victoria](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/59/897759.jpg?h=0ccc7147)
Hi OZB Family,
Hope you all have had a wonderful start to your Sunday :)
This will suit to those like me who miss reading newspapers, for whom online articles just doesn't cut it, and those of us who want to access articles hiding behind paid $$ subscriptions.
I did some research and wanted to share this amazing FREE facility offered by our State Library Victoria (and likely other state libraries too), giving you access to FULL newspapers in digital form. And did I say FREE? For zero, zip, zilch, nada.
You can browse most recent issues and depending on the time available on your hands and interests of course, comb through decades of digital editions archives.
All you need is a device with internet access, and be a registered member of State Library Victoria which is FREE to become one. Use the FREE Access membership option if signing up.
List of 17 full newspapers 'as is' in digital edition form I was able to access and verify were as below. I have mentioned the potential annual digital subscription savings as of today's online search via their respective websites.
1) The Age, The/Sunday Age ($330 savings)
2) The Australian ($468 savings)
3) Australian Financial Review (AFR) - delayed by / lag of 3 days ($699 savings)
4) Herald Sun/Sunday Herald Sun ($312 savings)
5) The Ararat Advertiser ($109 savings) - Weekly Edition
6) Bendigo Advertiser ($186 savings)
7) The Border Mail (Albury-Wodonga) ($186 savings)
8) The Courier (Ballarat) ($186 savings)
9) Geelong Advertiser ($312 savings)
10) Mansfield Courier - Weekly Edition ($60 savings)
11) Shepparton News ($312 savings) - Weekdays only
12) The Standard (Warrnambool) ($186 savings)
13) The Stawell Times-News - Weekly Edition($109 savings)
14) Stock and Land (Tullamarine) ($220.95 savings) - Weekly Edition
15) Wangaratta Chronicle ($155 savings) - published alternate day
16) The Warragul & Drouin Gazette ($98 savings) - Weekly Edition
17) The Wimmera Mail-Times (Wimmera, Horsham) ($189.90 savings) published alternate day
INSTRUCTIONS:
For my tech savvy self-initiated friends: Go to State Library Victoria website -> Become a Member (if not a member already) -> Search Newspapers in Search field -> Use the top suggested Access Australia Database -> Login using State Library Victoria credentials -> Use Quick Links on the page (also embedded above) to access the available newspapers -> Choose Year, Month, Date, enjoy reading.
For my tech challenged friends, almost step-by-step instructions below:
1) If NOT a State Library Victoria member already, use the FREE Access membership to become one: You will receive an email upon signing up with a link to verify your email address, do so. You will then receive your member number via email too.
2) Go to State Library's Access Australia Database Page and click on Access Database.
3) You will be prompted to sign-in using your VIC State Library Login credentials.
4) Like I was, you may be prompted to enter account email verification code for the first time when you try logging in. Multi-factor authentication is a good indication reflecting State Library embracing safer technology.
5) And voila, you would arrive on the NEWSBANK landing page post the above steps. This page has an excellent outlay of individual Quick Links for the list of newspapers above.
6) Click on individual newspapers links you would like to read.
7) "View Recent Issues" is listed upfront in the middle of the screen with recent dates publications. Just click on the date you want to read. Alternatively, choose the year from drop down, calendar month and date of choice if you want accessing previous archives.
8) Use Arrow keys next to newspaper Page Number on the top, or use the page number drop down to to go next page of your choice.
9) Enjoy Reading.
Notes:
* You would notice similar approx. savings for some of the above newspapers as parent company is likely the same for some, just the local news content may vary.
* These embedded direct links can break over time, so please revert to links on the actual pages as required.
* Access Australia Database abd Age and Sydney Morning Herald Digital Editions (2006— ) Database were the ones I used and were more than sufficient for my needs. If you want to access ALL available online Australian & New Zealand newspaper databases (15 of them listed), feel free to explore as best fit.
* State Library Victoria website has enabled hundreds more such hidden gems. If you are game, browse away. This is just tip of the iceberg.
Isn’t there a delay of 1-2 days on accessing the content though?
If so, this should prominently feature in the description. Most people have no desire to read historical news articles.