San José Mercury News Digital Archives Now Available for Free to All San José Public Library Cardholders
Digital Archives Expansion Comes on Anniversary of San José Mercury News Launch 

SAN JOSÉ, CA – On the 172^nd anniversary of the San José Mercury News, the San José Public Library (SJPL) and the San José Public Library Foundation (SJPLF) announced that all of the more than 650,000 San José Public Library members will now have access to a digital archive of the San José Mercury News from 1900 to 1985 for free.  

Library members can access the vast archives from any internet-connected device by visiting sjpl.org/MercuryNewsArchive and entering their SJPL library card barcode and PIN number. Until now, students, researchers, and members of the public had to complete their research using microfilm and microfiche by traveling to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library’s California Room where nearly 60,000 historical documents are stored.   

The digital archives expansion was made possible thanks to a donation from Margaret Ma, a lifelong San José resident who volunteered in SJPL’s California Room. “I made this gift in honor of my mother, Susan Renzel Carter, who grew up visiting the library. The gift is to honor her love of the library. It is my way of leaving the library a lasting gift that makes researchers' jobs a little easier," said Margaret Ma. The decision to donate to the San José Public Library Foundation to purchase the digital archives came about when she began researching her family’s past and struggled to use the microfilm reader to complete her research. She realized others would benefit from accessing the digital archives as she had.  

“We’re thankful for the wonderful legacy gift in honor of Susan Renzel Carter,” said Jill Bourne, City Librarian. “This generous donation will allow the San José Public Library to provide free digital access to nearly eight decades of the San Jose Mercury News, adding assets to the library’s local history collection and tremendous value for our residents.”  

The San José Public Library Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides advocacy and support to the San José Public Library, facilitated the digital archives expansion. “With Margaret’s generous donation, our region’s rich and vibrant history will be accessible to all library patrons with just a click of a mouse and their library card. The San José Public Library Foundation is proud to support this effort to expand access to knowledge and bring our research tools into the 21^st century,” said Dawn Coppin, SJPLF’s Chief Executive Officer.   

The San José Mercury News digital archives are now available at www.sjpl.org/MercuryNewsArchive