Social Issues

Read articles on politics, foreign affairs, business and economy, culture and the arts, technology, science, and other topics of interest. This magazine was originally created with a focus on abolition and education, and has featured many well-known writers. Note: Issues of The Atlantic Magazine from 2014 to Present are available in Flipster.

The magazine archives of Ebony covers civil rights, education, entrepreneurship and other social topics with an African-American focus. One notable feature is the annual selection of the “100 most Influential Blacks in America,” featuring entertainment figures, politicians, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs.

During the 1960s, the magazine increasingly covered the Civil Rights Movement. Articles published in the magazine were about political events happening all over the U.S., in which activists protested racial violence and advocated for increasing social mobility for African–Americans across the diaspora. Also published in the magazine was content about the Black Power Movement. Ebony also commemorated historical events that contributed to black citizenship and freedom such as the September 1963 issue that honored the 100 year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. 

Research Areas:

• African-American culture
• Business
• Civil rights
• Entertainment
• Ethnic studies
• Fashion
• History
• ​Politics

Features storytelling through documentary photographs and informative captions. Each issue visually and powerfully depicted national and international events and topical stories, providing intimate views of real people and their real life situations. Articles and cover pages are fully indexed and advertisements are individually identified, ensuring researchers and readers can quickly and accurately locate the information they seek. Life Magazine Archive is valuable to researchers of 20th Century current events, politics and culture, as well as those interested in the history of business, advertising, and popular culture.

Maclean’s is a leading Canadian news and general interest magazine. Providing a unique perspective on national and international news and culture, the magazine covers investigative reporting, opinion and analysis on politics, economics, technology and more. Note: Issues from 2015 to Current are available in Flipster.

Provides current, full-text articles written by Mercury News staff on local news, business, sports, front, editorials and obituaries. Excludes freelance and AP articles as well as classifieds and other ads. Available in the NewsBank database. Please Note: The latest issues are sometimes posted after a delay on the vendor's side.

Get full access to today's articles from your local newspaper through the online version of The Mercury News. Headlines are updated throughout the day and readers may enjoy local, national, and world news. Read the latest articles about business, technology, sports, etc. or review editorials, obituaries, and much more. Full-text articles including articles from the Associated Press may be available as far back as 2006.

Please Note: The Mercury News requires users to be 18 or older. The Mercury News asks users under the age of 18 to obtain parental or legal guardian consent to The Mercury News Terms of Use and The Mercury News Privacy Policy. By following the link above to access The Mercury News, you certify that you are 18 or older, and that if you are under the age of 18 years, that you have obtained the consent of your parent or legal guardian to the The Mercury News Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

When accessing The Mercury News link, you will be leaving the Santa Clara County Library District website and directed to The Mercury News site. This service is provided at no charge to Santa Clara County Library District patrons. Please be aware that policies that apply to the Library and its website may not be the same as the Terms of Use for other websites. By proceeding, you agree to accept and assume all risks and responsibilities for the losses and damages that may arise from your use of The Mercury News website and release the Santa Clara County Library District from all liability.

With The Nation researchers can access 14 decades of historic articles, editorials, letters, reviews, poems, and puzzles dating back to the magazine's first issue from July 6, 1865.  The Nation is an important clearinghouse of primary source material in American and world history, offering a 150-year archive of reporting opinion and criticism. It covers topics including activism, arts, books, culture, economy, environment, politics, and society.

The New York Times Online is available in three editions: English, Spanish and Chinese. Click on ESPAÑOL or 中文 on top of the New York Times website to access the Spanish or Chinese edition. Headlines are updated throughout the day. Lending Information. FAQ.

Please Note: The New York Times (NYT) requires users to be 13 or older. The NYT also asks users age 13-17 to obtain parental or legal guardian consent to the NYT Terms of Service and NYT Privacy Policy. By following the link below to access the NYT, you certify that you are 13 or older, and that if you are 13-17 years old, that you have obtained the consent of your parent or legal guardian to the NYT terms of service and privacy policy.

When accessing the New York Times link, you will be leaving the Santa Clara County Library District website and directed to the New York Times site. This service is provided at no charge to Santa Clara County Library District patrons. Please be aware that policies that apply to the Library and its website may not be the same as the terms of use for other websites. By proceeding you agree to accept and assume all risks and responsibilities for the losses and damages that may arise from your use of the New York Times website and release the Santa Clara County Library District from all liability.

From leading issues and events, like the U.S. Civil War, westward expansion, industrial developments, race relations, and World War I and II; to international, local and regional politics, society, arts, culture, business, and sports the New York Times: Historic Issues provides easily-searchable firsthand accounts and coverage from 1851 through three years previous to the current year. Every issue includes the complete paper, cover-to-cover, with full-page and article images in easily downloadable PDF format. 

To browse individual issues, click on "Publications." You will see three different editions of the New York Times available: The New York Daily Times (1851-1857), The New York Times (1857-1922), The New York Times (1923-three years previous to the current year).

• Select an issue based on date.
• Scroll to the section "Browse specific issues" and then follow the links to get to a specific date/issue. 

This online resource covers today's hot button social issues, from capital punishment to immigration to marijuana. You will find pro-and-con viewpoints, reference articles, primary sources, interactive maps, infographics, and more. The full-text articles cover current events, news and commentary, economics, environmental issues, political science, and more. The content is a great tool for speech and debate classes or for research assignments. Watch Opposing Viewpoints tutorial.

People Magazine focuses on the stories of people in and behind the news. Each issue contains a blend of celebrity, lifestyle and human interest stories. The digital magazine archive chronicles popular culture and trends over time. Note: If you would like to read the current issues of People Magazine, you can find physical copies at our libraries and in our catalog.

Easily search hundreds of publications from scholarly journals, magazines, newsletters, images and other authoritative sources covering various topics on religion and philosophy.

Valuable to researchers of 20th-century current events, politics, business, and science, as well as those interested in the history of journalism, advertising and popular culture. Cover-to-cover processing presents each issue in its entirety as originally published with articles and cover pages fully indexed. Includes full-text issues for 1948-1984, and bibliographic records from 1984-2010. Issues of U.S. News & World Report Magazine from 1984 to Current are available in the Business News & Article Search database.

Published by Conde Nast Publications, Vanity Fair has been highlighting artists, illustrators and writers providing in-depth coverage and social commentary. Beginning with the Jazz Age, the magazine archive chronicles popular culture, fashion, celebrity portraiture and politics through the years. Vanity Fair is known for the contributions of famous photographers such as Bruce Weber, Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino and Herb Ritts. They’ve provided the magazine with a series of lavish covers and full-page portraits of current celebrities. In addition, the magazine has been known for a string of exposés e.g. about the cigarette industry, and the unveiling of the identity of Deep Throat. The magazine has also featured candid interviews with celebrities, including a monthly Proust Questionnaire. Note: Issues of Vanity Fair from 2016 to Current are available in Libby Magazines.