Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library announced on Apr. 2 the expansion of its digital resources by offering online access to The Clayton News, later known as The Clayton News-Star, a newspaper that documented life in the Town for decades.
The initiative aims to make local history more accessible by allowing residents to explore editions of the newspaper from 1914 to 1969 through DigitalNC, an online platform created by the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center. This effort is part of the library’s broader strategy to remove barriers for those interested in researching local history and builds upon existing tools such as its Obituary Index.
Library Associate Pam Taylor, who worked closely on this project, said that moving from microfilm to digital archives significantly eases research efforts. “With microfilm, you had to go through each reel, each slide, and it could take a long time,” she said. “Now, you can go right to what you need and spend your time learning instead of searching.”
Taylor also reflected on what has been lost with the closure of many local newspapers. “It is very, very sad,” she said. “The newspaper focused on Clayton, and it was how people stayed connected.” Former publisher and owner Stewart McLeod described how integral the paper was: “We were involved in everything from Little League baseball to Town government,” he said. “The newspaper touched the lives of a lot of people.”
Although The Clayton News is no longer published—a result shared by many local papers across the country—its historical significance endures. Taylor emphasized why preservation matters: “It is history, and it is so important,” she said. “If we do not preserve it, it gets lost.” She added that libraries play a vital role as stewards of community memory: “You are saving a footprint from the past and a voice from the past… And it is not just for today. It is for generations to come.”
The collection provides insight into major events such as World War II and everyday moments central to Clayton’s identity over several decades. The library plans further digitization efforts so more editions may become available in future years.
