PITTSBURG, Kan. — Community members can now search for some Pittsburg archives online without going to the library.

Thanks to a special gift, the Pittsburg Public Library was able to digitize a chunk of "The Morning Sun" and "Pittsburg Daily Headlight" newspapers from 1886 to 1915.

Earlier this year, the library received a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to commemorate America’s 250 anniversary. After weighing different project options, the library staff decided to honor Pittsburg’s 150th anniversary with the funds by digitizing a portion of the microfilm collection, as a way of protecting the city’s history.

Prior to this project, accessing these dates required physically going to the library. Now, anyone with an internet connection can access these archives.

Library Director Bev Clarkson and Assistant Director AnnDee Peterson said they have wanted to digitize microfilms for years. Because the microfilms are delicate, they could be damaged or destroyed, and the information would be lost.

The $10,000 funded the digitization for only 50 of the library’s 600 rolls of microfilm. Clarkson and Peterson said they would like to continue this transition, but it will take several years and additional funding.

Community members can search the database using keywords, names or dates, and a PDF version of the newspaper can be viewed. A “clipping” tool allows users to select sections, articles or images of the newspaper to download with a caption of what edition the material originated.

This service does not require a library card or login.

Clarkson said one of the first PDFs she viewed was a coal mining accident of 1886, and it listed the names of people who died along with those who survived. She said several of those last names were recognizable, and that people could easily search their last name to see anything from past family members.

“I think people will enjoy this,” Clarkson said. “It's easy to access. You can sit at home and do it in the comfort of your own home. I hope everyone enjoys it and we’re happy to give this in honor of Pittsburg’s 150th.”

Patrons can search these archives by visiting: pittsburg.historyarchives.online/ .

This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.