All the News That’s Fit to Print, and Then Some

The New York Times. The “paper of record” (well, not really, but commonly perceived as such). “All the News That’s Fit to Print.” The gold standard for crossword puzzle enthusiasts. (Source of the lion’s share of my information about national and global current events: If you spend any time talking with me all, at some point you’ll almost undoubtedly hear me say, “So, I read an article in The New York Times…”)

I’ve been an avid reader of the Times for several years now, and so I was thrilled when it came to pass that we would be offering our patrons unlimited digital access to this venerable news source (Fear not, paper lovers: We also continue to receive the print edition daily).

I am a stalwart fan of The New York Times for many reasons, chief among them that I trust its journalists to abide by a standard of ethics that results in trustworthy news reports. But the Timesalso provides me with sustenance as a reader, with articles that work in conversation with the most illuminating books of our times. Several of the most requested titles at the library in the last year–such as J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy, Nancy Isenberg’s White Trash, or Matthew Desmond’s Evicted–have discussed the interplay of race, class, poverty, and policy in shaping American life. Have you not yet read Matthew Desmond’s critically acclaimed Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, or can’t wait until he comes out with a new book? Then check out his May 9, 2017 New York Times Magazine article, which explored to heartbreaking effect the role that the mortgage interest deduction plays in widening the inequality gap in the United States. Follow that up with Nikole Hannah-Jones’ article on segregation and schools to delve further into the issue of how housing options shape life outcomes; while the article focuses on New York City schools, the historical forces and present-day impacts Hannah-Jones describes have shaped neighborhoods nationwide.

Evocative journalism isn’t the only thing you’ll find among the digital pages of The New York Times; how-to guides abound as well. Intrigued by the myriad health benefits of mindfulness meditation, but aren’t sure where to start? There’s a guide for that. Start running! Discover the most efficient way to clean your home! Learn to cook (I’m not naming any names, but rumor has it that their Thanksgiving cooking guide has been a lifesaver for at least one less-than-confident cook)!

So how can you access this embarrassment of riches?

If you are in the library:

• Connect to the Library’s WiFi or use a library computer
• First-time users will need to register here (provide an email, create a password)
• Returning users can log in at nytimes.com

If you are not in the library:

• Log in (or register if it’s your first time) on your device or computer
• Open the following URL in a new tab, then enter your library card number and PIN for access.

-Melissa Fisher Isaacs is the Information Services Coordinator at Lawrence Public Library.