The St. Petersburg Times is no longer in print, but its archives and legacy remain accessible online

The St. Petersburg Times, which operated as the primary newspaper for the Tampa Bay area from 1884 to 2011, ceased publication in its print form over a decade ago. The newsroom merged with the Tampa Bay Times, which continues to cover the region today. If you are looking for current news from the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay area, you will want to subscribe to the Tampa Bay Times instead. If you are interested in historical St. Petersburg Times content, archives and microfilm are available through libraries and historical societies in the region.

Key Takeaways

  • The St. Petersburg Times stopped printing in 2011 and merged its newsroom with the Tampa Bay Times, which now covers the region.
  • To read current news from the St. Petersburg area, you can subscribe to the Tampa Bay Times in print or digital form.
  • Historical St. Petersburg Times articles and archives are available through the University of South Florida library system and Pinellas County public libraries.
  • Microfilm copies of the St. Petersburg Times are housed at the St. Petersburg Public Library and other regional institutions.

Subscribing to the Tampa Bay Times for current coverage

The Tampa Bay Times is the direct successor to the St. Petersburg Times and maintains newsrooms and reporters throughout the Tampa Bay region, including St. Petersburg. You can subscribe to the Tampa Bay Times through their website at tampabay.com. The publication offers both digital-only subscriptions and print-plus-digital bundles, with pricing that varies based on the subscription length you choose.

Digital subscriptions give you access to all articles on the website and through their mobile app. Print subscriptions deliver the newspaper to your home and typically include digital access as well. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings on their website.

Finding historical St. Petersburg Times archives

If you are researching past articles or looking for historical content from the St. Petersburg Times, the University of South Florida Libraries maintains a searchable archive of the newspaper. The USF Digital Collections include digitized editions of the St. Petersburg Times dating back several decades. You can search these archives for free through the USF website without a subscription.

The St. Petersburg Public Library and other branches in the Pinellas County Public Library system also hold microfilm copies of the St. Petersburg Times. Librarians can help you locate specific dates or topics you are researching. Some libraries offer remote access to microfilm databases, though policies vary by location.

Accessing microfilm and physical copies

Microfilm is a practical option if you need to review newspapers from specific dates or years. The St. Petersburg Public Library, located at 3745 Ninth Avenue North, maintains an extensive microfilm collection of the St. Petersburg Times. You can visit in person to use the microfilm readers, or call ahead to confirm they have the dates you need.

Other regional libraries, including the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library and the Clearwater Public Library, also hold St. Petersburg Times microfilm. If you are doing genealogical research or looking for articles from a particular time period, calling the library ahead of time will save you a trip — staff can tell you whether they have the specific years you need and whether you can access them remotely.

Understanding the transition from St. Petersburg Times to Tampa Bay Times

In 2011, the St. Petersburg Times changed its name to the Tampa Bay Times to reflect its coverage area, which extends across the entire Tampa Bay region rather than St. Petersburg alone. The newsroom, staff, and reporting operations continued under the new name. This was a rebranding rather than a closure, so the publication's institutional knowledge and archives remained intact.

The change also reflected a shift in how the newspaper delivered content. While the St. Petersburg Times had been primarily a print publication, the Tampa Bay Times operates as a digital-first news organization with a print edition. This means most breaking news and updates appear online first, with a print edition following the next morning.

What to do if you need a specific article or date

If you are looking for a particular article but do not know which archive to check, start with the USF Digital Collections search. If the article is not there, contact the St. Petersburg Public Library reference desk — librarians can often locate articles by date, topic, or partial information you remember. They may also be able to help you determine whether an article appeared in the St. Petersburg Times or another regional publication.

For very recent articles (from 2011 onward), search the Tampa Bay Times website directly. The Tampa Bay Times archives go back to the publication's rebranding and include searchable access to most articles published since then. Some older articles may require a digital subscription to view in full.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get the St. Petersburg Times delivered to my home?

No, the St. Petersburg Times stopped printing in 2011. The Tampa Bay Times, which succeeded it, offers print delivery in the Tampa Bay area. You can subscribe through their website or by calling their subscription line to arrange delivery to your address.

Where can I find articles from the 1990s or earlier?

The University of South Florida Libraries has digitized St. Petersburg Times archives available free online. If the article you need is not in the USF collection, the St. Petersburg Public Library holds microfilm copies you can view in person. Call ahead to confirm they have the specific years you need.

Is there a cost to search the St. Petersburg Times archives?

No, the USF Digital Collections are free to search. The St. Petersburg Public Library also provides free access to their microfilm collection for anyone with a library card or visiting in person. A Tampa Bay Times digital subscription is required only if you want to read current articles published after 2011.

Can I access St. Petersburg Times archives from home?

Yes, the USF Digital Collections are available online at no cost. Some Pinellas County libraries offer remote access to microfilm databases, though this varies by branch. Contact your local library to ask whether they offer remote microfilm access or digital archive subscriptions.

What happened to the St. Petersburg Times building and newsroom?

The newsroom merged with the Tampa Bay Times operations. The Tampa Bay Times maintains offices in the Tampa Bay area and continues to employ reporters who cover St. Petersburg and surrounding communities. The physical building that housed the St. Petersburg Times newsroom is no longer used as a newspaper office.