Back issues of the Providence Phoenix

August 31, 2011 1:32 PM

I need every back issue from 2000-2010 (weekly) of the Providence Phoenix. I've checked with the public libraries in Providence and Cramston, but they only keep the issues for 6 months. What's my best option now?
posted by scunning to Media & Arts (9 answers total)

Since you didn't mention it, I'll ask the obvious question: Have you checked with the Providence Phoenix?
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:39 PM on August 31, 2011

Best answer: The Rhode Island Historical Society Library might have it.
posted by Knappster at 1:41 PM on August 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

Could you perhaps provide more details about what you want to do with the issues? Are you trying to search for specific articles for research purposes, analyze all the cover illustrations, or just amass a giant pile of paper? Do you need to actually purchase these back issues or just glance at them? Are you scanning or copying parts? You're talking about over 500 issues here, which is a fairly sizable quantity to expect to just find.

Your best bet since the libraries aren't working out is probably to call the publisher and see if they have any suggestions or an archive you could arrange access to.
posted by zachlipton at 1:42 PM on August 31, 2011 [2 favorites]

This looks like it's primarily an entertainment paper / free weekly? If the Phoenix can't provide back issues, I don't think there's anyone else who's likely to archive this, unfortunately.

IAAPL (I am a periodicals librarian) and we (libraries) just don't have the space to archive stuff like this.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:44 PM on August 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

Ooh, good find Knappster! I (might) stand corrected.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:46 PM on August 31, 2011

Response by poster: Mr Know It Some - I'm going to be studying changes in advertising over this period of time in the classified section as part of a research project.
posted by scunning at 1:50 PM on August 31, 2011

Response by poster: Sorry about the previous post - wrong response to the wrong person. Mr Know It Some - I have been in contact with them, and that may work out, but I'm trying to find a plan in case I am unable to get it from them directly.

zachlipton - I'll be counting particular kinds of advertising by hand most likely as a worst case scenario. If I have to go this route, that is. I'm needing to get a sense of whether the only way possible to get these data is to work directly with the publisher, or if it's possible to find someone who collects them, or if there is out in the world something or somewhere where periodicals like this exist outside of the publisher itself.

Knappster - thanks! I'm calling now.
posted by scunning at 1:53 PM on August 31, 2011

I think it's so interesting that all this work goes into getting these types of things published on a regular basis, only to be lost to history within a few years.
posted by allseeingabstract at 2:49 PM on August 31, 2011 [1 favorite]

Check their website --- the local newspaper chain I work for posts full pdfs of every single issus online, maybe these folks do too.
posted by easily confused at 3:15 PM on August 31, 2011 [1 favorite]