Newspaper Digitizing Project

In February 2018, the five libraries throughout Fillmore County came together to accomplish a major goal: to digitize all historical newspapers from Fillmore County, and have the full text searchable database available to the public by March 2021, in celebration of the county's 150th anniversary.

As of February 20, 2020, the database offers full-text searchable images of Fillmore County newspapers published between 1872 and 2018, and available by following this link:

http://fillmorecountyne.advantage-preservation.com

Approximately 280 unique rolls of microfilm were identified to digitize, as well as two distinct sets of newspapers in fragile condition which had never been microfilmed.  This covered newspapers dating back to 1872, and included newspapers from Exeter, Fairmont, Geneva, Grafton, Milligan, Ohiowa, Shickley, and Strang.

The initial costs of digitizing and updating the newspaper database were been met through the generous donations of sponsors listed below.  That said, there are annual costs associated with adding each new year of newspaper images, and other historically important and available books and materials.  

Donations to the project are happily excepted and will be recognized on the library websites. Donations are tax deductible within the extent of prevailing laws.  To make a donation of any amount, simply fill out the form available here. Checks should be made to the Geneva Public Library Foundation. Please mail your payment, along with a completed form, to any of the Fillmore County Libraries listed on this form.

Moving forward, a two year waiting period will be observed between publishing date of the newspaper and when it appears in this database.