About the Long Beach History Collection The Long Beach History Collection at the Main Library contains printed matter, photos, and artifacts that offer unique insight into Long Beach and the people who have lived here. Many of the items are rare and fragile. Most original items are for use only in the library. Please bring a valid library card or driver's license to view the photo files. In late 2009, we started digitizing our collection of 10,000 historic photographs and adding them to the LBPL Digital Archive.
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Researching a Long Beach Home or Building
Find out How to Research a Long Beach Home.

Long Beach Newspapers in Online Databases 

Newsbank Long Beach Press-Telegram, 1990 - present. Includes features, obituaries, editorials, announcements and more.

Newspaper Archive Research history and genealogy with full-page vintage Long Beach (1938 - 2007), national, and international newspapers. Some archives go back hundreds of years. In Library use only.

Newspapers by ProQuest Los Angeles Times Historical (1881 - 1987) and Los Angeles Times Full-Text (1985 - present).

Long Beach Newspapers, City Directories, and High School Yearbooks ON MICROFILM
Please visit the Periodicals Department of the Main Library for these resources. For newspapers, search the Long Beach History Index mentioned above to locate the correct reel of microfilm. Many city directories and yearbooks are in the LBPL Digital Archive.

Daily Telegram - Dec. 26, 1904 - Mar. 6, 1923 (scattered holdings until 1905)

Evening Tribune - Dec. 1900 - Sep. 1, 1907 (scattered holdings until 1905)

Independent - Jan. 1964 - Mar, 31, 1981

Long Beach Press - Jan. 2, 1902 - Aug. 31, 1924 (scattered holdings until 1905)

Los Angeles Times - Dec. 4, 1881 - Dec. 31, 1902 (scattered holdings until 1900)

Press Telegram - Sept 1, 1924 - Dec. 31, 1969 & April 1, 1981 - Dec. 31, 2004.

Some Long Beach high school yearbooks, 1911-present

Most Polk & City Directories, 1911 - present

Long Beach History Research Requests & Help
Research requests are evaluated individually. For questions about the Long Beach History Collection or to request an estimate for research, email the Long Beach History Librarian at lbpl_reference@lbpl.org.

Policy for Donations of Historic Materials
The library accepts Long Beach history-related donations but reserves the right to utilize these gifts in any way that is advantageous to the library, including adding gifts to the collection, selling, disposing, or transferring gifts into or out of the collection. The library cannot act as an agency for the disposal or recycling of unwanted items. Donations must be in good condition, free of stains, mildew, grime, odors, and vermin. In addition, newspapers and magazines cannot be accepted due to their ephemeral and flammable nature. The library provides no appraisals and reserves the right to refuse any donated material. Thank you for your help in donating only suitable items. Your gifts are appreciated.

More Resources for Long Beach History Research

• Long Beach History Guide from CSULB - A detailed and well-organized subject guide to all aspects of Long Beach History.
• Long Beach Postcard Images - Along with a narrative, this site includes vintage hand-colored postcards of Long Beach landmarks.
• Historical Society of Long Beach
• Independent Researchers- Research referral from the National Archives and Records Administration. Researchers are independent contractors, charge a fee, and are not associated with LBPL or NARA.