Adirondack Libraries, Museums, and Archives

Public Libraries

  • Clinton–Essex–Franklin Library System
  • Plattsburgh Public Library
  • Saranac Lake Free Library
  • Tupper Lake Goff-Nelson Memorial Library

College and University Libraries

  • Paul Smiths College Collection (https://library.paulsmiths.edu/adks/digital)
  • St. Lawrence University Owen D. Young Library Special Collections
  • SUNY Potsdam Archives & Special Collections
  • SUNY Plattsburgh Fienberg Library Special Collections
  • Union College Kelly Adirondack Center & Research Library

Museums

Historic Societies and Archives

  • Adirondack Architectural Heritage (Keeseville)
  • Clinton County Historical Association (Plattsburgh)
  • Historic Saranac Lake Online Collections Database
  • Lyon Mountain Mining & Railroad Museum
  • North Elba-Lake Placid Historical Association (Lake Placid)
  • North Star Underground Railroad Museum (Ausable Chasm)
  • Rouses Point–Champlain Historical Society (Rouses Point)

State and Federal Archives

Magazines and Newspapers

  • North Country Public Radio 
    The local public radio station which often publishes online versions of their on-air stories and includes recorded content published to the web.
  • Adirondack Daily Enterprise 
    Print copies available in the library. The only daily newspaper published in the Adirondack Park, and it’s based right out of Saranac Lake. A place to start is the “Opinions” tab on the front page. This is where you’ll find editorials and letters to the editor. The newspaper also has recent stories available on the website. For older information, check out the NNYLN Historic Newspapers.
  • Adirondack Explorer 
    A non-profit news magazine devoted to the preservation and enjoyment of the Adirondack Park. Some information is available online, but the library has full text back to 1998 in the periodical section of the library.
  • Adirondack Life
    This magazine is a general resource about the Adirondacks. Recent articles are available online and the library has full-text in print back to 1970 in the periodical section
  • .NYS Historic Newspapers 
      To find digitized historical newspapers for New York State. Can search the entire collection or by county to browse the collection. Provides free online access to a wide range of newspapers chosen to reflect New York’s unique history
    • The Adirondack Almanack
      This is the Adirondack Explorer’s online news journal. It’s a great resource for current events and controveries. The “Local Politics” tab could be especially useful.

    Read the NY Times Online for FREE

    Search the full text of The New York Times (starting in 1985). Available through geolocation when your device is in NY.

    📌 While the interface is less visually appealing, this database has powerful advanced features.

    • You can download, print, and share full texts without worrying about a paywall.
    • You can click on an author name to see other pieces they have written.
    • If you are writing a paper for a class, you can easily grab the citation in any format from the bottom of the page.

    📌 This version is text only. You will not be able to see photos or other images, videos, or interactive content. Crosswords, recipes, and multimedia features are not included.

    🧭Navigation Tip: Find the Most Recent Articles

    • Browse by date using the “Publication Search” feature:
      • Click “GO to Publication Search”
      • Click “List All Publications”
      • Click “New York Times”
      • Click on the date you want to read.

    📌 Note: Articles are typically available within 24–48 hours of publication.

    🧭Navigation Tip: Find a Specific Article

    • If you know a specific article that you want to read, you can type the name in the search bar on the main page.
    • Some article titles may differ slightly from those on NYTimes.com. If your first search doesn’t work, it might be because the article is not yet available (it takes 24-48 hrs to be added) or because it has a different title in the print version. Try using the author’s name instead as a new search. Then, sort by Newest to bring up their most recent articles.
    • If that still doesn’t work, try going back to the search and using topic keywords.

    📌 Note: Articles may have a different title than what you see in the online version or in your phone app.

    Stream classic cinema, indie film, and documentaries free with your library card

    Just in time for the holidays, the Clinton, Essex, Franklin Library System added the video streaming service Kanopy to the resources you can access free of charge using your library card! With an extensive collection of narrative and documentary films, as well as TV series and kids’ content, we’re pleased to bring this streaming service to the community. Kanopy can be enjoyed on your computer, on the go with a smartphone or tablet, and even on a smart TV! Go to cefls.kanopy.com to get started today!

    Access Free Newspapers & Genealogy Resources

    Library patrons now have access to new thousands of newspapers through Clinton Essex Franklin Library System. These are available online from any computer with the use of your library card number.

    Explore and stay informed on local, national, and international topics, people, and events in areas such as business, health, education, jobs and careers, political and social issues and more. Features a wide variety of credible, vetted news sources from around the world to around the corner. Also available remotely 24/7 on any device.

    Explore Plattsburgh history through local news, events, and people with the Plattsburgh Press Republican Collection. Search current and archived issues with full-text articles and content only published online. Also available remotely 24/7 on any device.

    Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 – today. Heritage Hub helps you easily identify relatives, uncover new information and potentially unknown family members. Includes deep coverage from all 50 states, hard-to-find content from the mid 1900’s, and original obituary images. Access is available 24/7.