Concern as online access to digital newspaper archive to cease

MNH 'yet to identify' solution to costly problem

The way local historians, and family researchers, access the digital collection of Isle of Man newspapers is soon to change.

From 12 October online access to the database - which holds more than 150 years' worth of archives - will cease.

Manx National Heritage says the iMuseum.im newspaper service relies on specialist software, and server infrastructure, which has now reached the end of its operational life.

The organisation says it's been exploring options but a sustainable and affordable solution, that would enable the existing service to continue, has 'not yet been identified'.

MNH says it's reviewing its wider digital infrastructure and exploring opportunities to develop sustainable, secure and cost-effective solutions that can support online access to its diverse collections in the future.

The change doesn't mean the digital archive will be lost; Manx National Heritage stresses that the underlying data will be held and preserved.

Meanwhile, the original newspapers remain safe and secure within the national collections.

Researchers can also use the Newspapers Online archive at the Manx Museum Library & Archives where the newspapers are available on microfilm.

But local history enthusiast Neil Harrison says that process is much more painstaking and requires a lot more time and effort. 

In a post on social media he appealed to Manx National Heritage saying: "As a regular user researching Manx history, I have found this resource invaluable".

For him, and other researchers of the Island's history, the change is big blow: