Mossey Library offers free New York Times digital subscription

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Mossey Library offers free New York Times digital subscription
Mossey Library now offers a free digital subscription to The New York Times. Matthew Fisher | Collegian

Hillsdale College students and faculty will now be able to access The New York Times digitally without paying for a subscription, thanks to recent changes at Mossey Library.

Mossey Library is entering the digital world of news media as all students and faculty will have full online access to The New York Times. The New York Times Company has established a new program that offers digital access to educators and institutions for the purpose of expanding access for K-12 and postsecondary students.

This change highlights a growing trend in the world of print as the growth in technology has led to enormous shifts in the distribution of news and media. Already, numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal offer student subscriptions at discount rates; however, this new school-wide subscription to The New York Times marks a notable change in how Mossey Library distributes its content. Technical Services Librarian LeAnne Rumler said the rationale for acquiring digital access had to do with archive space.

“Some publishers are moving away from print, offering only electronic content,” Rumler said. “For libraries, when space becomes an issue, replacing hundreds of stored print volumes with an online subscription makes sense.”

John Miller, director of the Dow Journalism Program, said this new access will be beneficial for all.

“Although it can drive me crazy, The New York Times remains one of America’s great newspapers — and we’re fortunate to enjoy this access to it,” he said. “I’m already reading it more than I was.”

Already, numerous students have reached out to the library expressing interest and excitement at the free access to the Times; however, it is unknown just how many students have signed up for the digital version.

Some students are skeptical as to how much of an impact the availability will have on interest and readership of The New York Times on campus.

Freshman Jacob Ngobi said he reads The New York Times once every week or so.

“While I think it will make things easier for students who already read daily publications like The New York Times, I do not believe it will necessarily attract any new readers at Hillsdale,” Ngobi said. “If you are not already reading The New York Times, I do not see how it being digital would incentivize reading it more.”

While the digitalization of The New York Times at Hillsdale marks the most significant publication at the library to go online, students may have to wait a while if they are hoping to see other major newspapers become available online.

“We do not currently have a formalized plan for replacing the library’s print subscriptions with electronic access, but it is certainly a trend for publishers and libraries,” Rumler said.

Students and faculty interested in accessing the New York Times can do so by registering an account listed under Hillsdale College at https://nytimesineducation.com/access-nyt/.