Local News
Three local papers help document ISU's history. Check out the list below to learn about the paper.
The Vidette
The Vidette, 1888-present
The Vidette, the Illinois State University student newspaper, began publication in 1888 as a monthly magazine. In 1906 The Vidette began to appear weekly, and in 1962 it began to appear twice weekly. In 1970 the publication schedule was thrice weekly, and in 1976 The Vidette became a daily paper during the regular academic year. The newspaper is currently published under the name The Vidette.
The Vidette Newspaper Archive at Milner Library holds the digitized pages of the campus newspaper of Illinois State University. The archive currently holds approximately ninety-three volumes covering issues from the first edition in February 1888 to December 1980 with additional volumes planned for inclusion. The entire run of The Vidette can be found both in microfilm and physical formats at Milner Library.
Copies at Milner Library
Current issues of The Vidette are available in the newspaper section of Current Periodicals on Milner Floor 2 and online at The Vidette's website.
Back issues of The Vidette are available in the microfilm/microfiche collection of Milner Floor 2. For help with microfilm/microfiche, ask the Reference Desk.
Copies at Rayfield Archives
The Rayfield Archives holds a complete run of the print edition of The Vidette as well as a complete microfilm copy. Due to the fragile nature of the print, we ask that researchers use microfilm first.
The Pantagraph
The Pantagraph, 1853-present
The Pantagraph is the longest-running Bloomington/Normal newspaper. Jesse Fell, who later helped found Illinois State Normal University, founded the paper in 1837 as the Bloomington Observer and McLean County Advocate. The newspaper went through seven name changes before becoming The Pantagraph in 1985.
Copies at Milner Library
Current issues of The Pantagraph are available in print in the newspaper section of Current Periodicals on Milner Floor 2. Back issues are also available in microfilm format in the microfilm/microfiche section of Milner Floor 2.
Online Access (ISU only)
Current students, faculty, and staff with a valid ISU ULID may access The Pantagraph online via Newspapers.com via the site's Illinois Newspapers collection. Follow this link and click the Newspapers.com button.
To see all holding information for The Pantagraph, view the catalog record by following this link. Scroll to 'details' to see other titles.
The Normalite, 1929-present
The Normalite, 1929-present
The Normalite has been serving the community of Normal, Illinois since 1929. The paper's motto is "Publishing the human side of the news of the Normal community."
Copies at Milner Library
Current issues of The Normalite are available in print in the newspaper section of Current Periodicals on Milner Floor 2. Copies of The Normalite are retained until they are replaced with a microfilm copy. Microfilm copies of The Normalite can be found in the microfilm section of Milner Floor 2.
To see all holding information for The Normalite, view the catalog record by following this link.