Quincy Public Library offering architecture database, expanded newspaper archive

QUINCY — Quincy Public Library has expanded the Quincy Historical Newspaper Archive, thanks to the support of the Quincy Herald-Whig and the Oakley Foundation. The archive now features all Quincy newspapers published from 1835 to 2020, expanding the service by almost 100 years.

“The newspaper archive is one of the most used digital resources,” QPL Director Kathleen Helsabeck said. “It is invaluable to local historians and genealogists. We are so grateful to be able to announce the expansion of this vital resource.”

Before the expansion, the library had all issues through 1926 available. The library has been working on this expansion for the last two years. The project was delayed due to the ongoing pandemic. The new archive is mobile-friendly, making the content searchable from any device.

“Though we’ve had these issues on microfilm, expanding the online archive makes the issues far more accessible and user-friendly,” said Helsabeck. “They can now be accessed from anywhere. They also are searchable by keyword or date.”

The library also has added an architecture database that allows users to browse QPL’s collection of historical documents and photos of some of Quincy’s most recognizable landmarks and buildings. This database was made possible thanks to a generous contribution by George M. Irwin.

“Quincy is recognized for its beautiful architecture,” Helsabeck said. “We have been working with the Quincy Preserves and the City of Quincy to get the information all in one place so it is accessible to our community.” 

The library continues to add files to the architecture database and is seeking contributions to the database. If you would like to share documents to add to the database, contact the library.

The library has added several database offerings for the community.

• Chilton Auto Repair: Get the detailed information you need to tackle vehicle maintenance and repairs. Access vehicle maintenance and specification tables that provide unique data for specific vehicles.  It also includes step-by-step services, repair procedures, and labor estimating tools to confidently determine your next move. 
• Peterson’s Test & Career Prep: Peterson’s accommodates users of all ages with a resource for standardized test preparation, researching and selecting colleges, finding tuition assistance, exploring career paths and more. Full-length, timed, and free practice exams for AP, ACT, SAT, PSAT, GED and more. It also includes information on more than 4,000 accredited schools. Students and parents can benefit from applying the undergraduate scholarship search, financial aid award analyzer, college savings calculator and tuition cost finder. The Resume Builder and Virtual Careers Library tools assist in career development, like building a resume, cover letter, and interviewing tips for users at all career stages. Using the career module, tests help users map interests and aptitudes to the most suitable occupations.
• Legal Forms IL: Offers thousands of legal forms, including state specific, federal, business, personal and real estate, covering hundreds of legal subjects and issues.
• Gale General OneFile: With millions of articles from thousands of scholarly journals and other authoritative sources, Gale OneFile allows you to explore various topics.
• Gale OneFile News: Gale OneFile News is a full-text database that provides access to more than 2,300 major U.S. regional, national, and local newspapers, including the New York Times, as well as leading titles from around the world. It also includes thousands of images, radio and TV broadcasts and transcripts.
• Creativebug: Find your creative bliss and learn something new every day. Stream thousands of arts and craft classes. Download patterns, templates, recipes and more. 
• Mango Languages: Provides free lessons in more than 70 languages, from French to Farsi and Italian to Urdu. Relevant learning material offers critical-thinking exercises, memory-building exercises, grammar notes and culture notes to put new knowledge in context and boost understanding.

All databases are available online at quincylibrary.org/research. They are available for free with your library card.