For FAQs and current status of services and policies see UW Libraries Operations Updates
Images: New Zaaland magazine, letter from Joseph Banks, Australian magazine
For books available within the libraries, see Using the UW Libraries Search to Find Published Primary Sources on the Books as Primary Sources page.
Most government material is housed in the Government Publications section on the ground floor of Suzzallo Library. Librarians there can help you find material you need.
To find additional freely available digitized historic newspapers see ICON: International Coalition on Newspapers. For contemporary newspaper coverage (roughly since 1990) see Finding News Articles
To find published letters and diaries available at the Libraries use the following terms in UW Libraries Search: correspondence or diaries