The Library's subject librarians regularly trial the latest databases & e-resources to support your studies.  Two e-resource trials are now available from Gale via Library Databases page: State Papers Online and U.S. Declassified Documents Online.

State Papers Online

State Papers Online is a rich digital archive of the British State Papers (the papers of the Secretary of State) spanning from the reign of Henry VIII in 1509 to 1782.

Covering a wide range of documents, subjects, and importance, they concern internal English/British affairs and administration of the country, and foreign affairs, marriage alliances, treaties and wars. Contains original letters written by Henry VIII and subsequent monarchs, ministers, officials and clerks, together with those sent from European rulers and their officials, and the people of Britain of all social levels. These papers form a major source for Early Modern Studies of Britain and Europe.

Stae Papers Online trial runs until 09/12/25.  Your feedback regarding this trial is welcome.

Full details of all our databases and e-resources can be found on the Library Databases page.

U.S. Declassified Documents Online

U.S. Declassified Documents Online is a comprehensive resource featuring over 700,000 previously classified federal records from the 20th and 21st centuries. This searchable archive brings together sensitive materials from presidential libraries and various executive agencies, offering unique insights into American policy, diplomacy, national security, and more. It's an essential tool for researchers exploring modern U.S. history and government decision-making.

The collection is the most comprehensive compilation of declassified documents from the executive branch. The types of materials include intelligence studies, policy papers, diplomatic correspondence, cabinet meeting minutes, briefing materials, and domestic surveillance and military reports. The collection editors have actively monitored the release of formerly classified documents from presidential libraries. They have also added numerous major releases of declassified documents from the Department of State, Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other executive agencies.

Because the majority of the documents are presidential records and all of them were formerly classified, these records provide a unique, behind-the-scenes view of the highest level of American policymaking on the most sensitive issues of national security and foreign policy. Materials cover virtually every significant foreign-policy development and international crisis, from the years leading up to the First World War through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Topics include the outbreak and course of the Second World War, the end of colonialism, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, US relations with non-aligned states in the 1960s, US-Soviet relations in the era of détente, international trade, nuclear proliferation, conflict in the Middle East, and the War on Terrorism. The collection also features important sources on sensitive episodes within the United States such as domestic surveillance, the civil rights and anti-war movements, abuse of government power, and home-grown terrorism.

The search-and-discovery interface for U.S. Declassified Documents Online allows researchers to locate the full text of documents and quickly filter the search results by document type, issue date, source institution, classification level, and date declassified as well as other document characteristics.

The U.S. Declassified Documents Online trial runs until Friday 9th May 2025.  Your feedback regarding this trial is welcome.

Full details of all our databases and e-resources can be found on the Library Databases page.