Newspapers

The Danish newspapers and local papers constitute a cornerstone of the Danish cultural heritage and are documentation of the Danish history of recent centuries.

Hardcover original newspapers are taken off the shelf

Photo: Thomas Søndergaard

Royal Danish Library's newspaper collection is Denmark's national collection of the last approximately 350 years of newspaper publications - from the oldest newspaper Den Danske Mercurius from 1666 to the latest publications.

We collect printed and digital newspapers via the Legal Deposit Act and keep the printed newspapers in a secure building and the digital newspapers on secured servers.

Legal deposit of newspapers and local papers

All producers of Danish newspapers or local papers are obliged to submit publications to Royal Danish Library.

Package label

We cover the costs of sending legal deposit materials. You print the package labels yourself, which are used for shipping. You can order a package label here.

Delivery list

Along with the submitted materials, a list of what is submitted must be attached. If you need a template, you can download it here.

About legal deposit

What is legal deposit?

Newspapers are loaded by horse-drawn carriage at the Statens Avissamling Aarhus 1918
The Danish Legal Deposit Act forms the basis for complete collection and preservation of the part of the cultural heritage that includes published material.

Where can you view the material?

Hands write on keyboard
The legally deposited material is made available at the Royal Danish Library or the Danish Film Institute in accordance with the provisions of the Personal Data Act and the Copyright Act.

Contact us about legal deposit

Hands operate mobile phone with contact symbols
Feel free to contact us if you need help, further information or have other questions about legal deposit.