Getting Started

We have a comprehensive collection of Newfoundland and Labrador books dating from the early 1600s to the present. If you are interested in learning more about the history of your community or starting work on your family tree, we can help! Along with books, our collections include photos, postcards, maps, newspapers, magazines, audiovisual recordings, and more.

Searching the library catalogue by community name (using “All Fields”) is a good way to start finding relevant books, maps and recordings. Even if located elsewhere, items available for loan can be sent to your home library through system wide holds.

Full text of Government of Newfoundland and Labrador publications (since 1995-96) are available online.

NL magazines are indexed in the Newfoundland Periodical Article Bibliography (PAB), compiled in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries. Start with a PAB search by community name (such as Harbour Breton) or area (such as Connaigre). We can help you find the full text of articles you want to read, and assist with search strategies.

We have holdings of magazines and newsletters published in Newfoundland and Labrador dating back to the 19^th century.  Look for code “PRL” in the Directory of Newfoundland and Labrador Magazines to find out if we have the particular title and issue you are looking for, or contact the A.C. Hunter Reference Desk for help.

We are the principal repository of original copies of Newfoundland and Labrador newspapers, dating back to 1810. Many of the newspapers are available on microfilm.  The Historical Directory of Newfoundland and Labrador Newspapers lists the NL Collection’s newspapers, in original and microform formats.

Our Newfoundland Public Libraries Newspaper Index includes daily newspapers, plus the Diocesan Magazine and the Newfoundland Churchman. It can help you find the best newspapers to support your research project.

We are in the process of digitizing our collections of historical Newfoundland and Labrador photographs and post cards dating from the late 19^th to mid 20^th centuries. Many show streets and neighbourhoods of St. John’s, or other communities throughout our province. Contact the A.C. Hunter Reference Desk for help finding images of interest.

We have a series of historical information files on people, places, ships and various topics relating to Newfoundland and Labrador. Find below lists of items included in our “Places” files, organized alphabetically by community name.

• Community Name A-D
• Community Name E-K
• Community Name L-P
• Community Name Q-Z

The NL Collection includes a variety of archival material and manuscripts.  Scroll through the PRL Archival Finding Aid to learn more about our holdings.