Library seeks local funding after negotiations lower price for Telegram & Gazette archive

Worcester Public Library leaders told their board they have restarted negotiations and fundraising to acquire perpetual ownership of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette archive from NewsBank, aiming to make historical local newspapers searchable and permanently available to the public. Staff said NewsBank previously offered ownership at $1.2 million and that renewed talks and a local fundraising effort lowered the proposed purchase price to just under $700,000.

Library staff and foundation volunteers said they have submitted multiple local foundation grant applications and begun a capital campaign to cover the remaining balance. "Chrissy got to work and applied for a number of grants through foundations," a staff member said, describing outreach to potential funders and community partners. Board materials indicated the archive would include Worcester papers dating from the first Worcester Gazette in 1801 through 2018.

Board members raised standard concerns about security and public access; staff said they have worked on security and access restraints to address those questions. The foundation representative said foundation funds and eventual reimbursements through trust accounts are expected to defray travel and acceptance-event costs related to awards and professional conferences tied to the project.

Supporters described the archive as a resource for local researchers, businesses and historians. Staff did not provide a final fundraising total or a binding purchase agreement at the meeting; they characterized the figure discussed as a negotiated price and said additional fundraising and grant approvals remain necessary before any transaction is completed. The board asked staff and the foundation to continue fundraising work and report back as grant responses arrive.