2Titles
Explore publications and collections from the past.
Community History Archive Partner
Valley of the Tetons District Library
Driggs, Idaho
Explore this community history collection to discover the people, places, organizations, and events of Driggs.
1909 to 2014Dates represented
See individual titles for available dates.
157,364Archive pages
Historical pages reported for this collection.
Explore local history
Discover the people, places, and stories of Driggs, Idaho.
Explore the past of Driggs, Idaho through newspapers in the Valley of the Tetons District Library's digital archive. The archive includes Teton Valley News and Valley Citizen, with material from 1909 to 2014.
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Selected titles
Selected titles from Valley of the Tetons District Library include “Teton Valley News” and “Valley Citizen”.
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Free and open access
No subscription or payment required.
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A closer look
A familiar name or event takes on another dimension in the newspaper coverage of its time, alongside the stories that mattered to the readers of that issue.
Reporting from the time can reveal how people described the events, work and concerns of their day, placing a local story within the history unfolding around it. Whether you are tracing a family connection, exploring a local event or sharing history with a class, there is more to discover than names and dates alone. Explore the archive online for free, without a subscription.
Explore the collection
Titles in this collection
Explore Teton Valley News and Valley Citizen through 157,364 digitized pages, with material from 1909 to 2014. This collection is shared through Valley of the Tetons District Library's partnership with Advantage Archives. Some years or items may be missing between the dates shown.
Follow a family connection or a question about the community through the titles below and the history they preserve.
Teton Valley News
144,654 pages from 1909 to 2013
Valley Citizen
12,710 pages from 2009 to 2014
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About the Library
About The Valley of the Tetons District Library
The Valley of the Tetons District Library (VTL) has been dedicated to serving our community since 1966. One year earlier, in 1965, the Teton Valley Chamber of Commerce formed a women’s auxiliary known as the “Chambermaids.” These women quickly recognized that a library was the most vital need for the community and set about creating one. Despite doubt and discouragement, they traveled to the state capital, Boise, for guidance on how to proceed. Once the necessary documents and signatures were obtained, the Chambermaids presented their idea to the public, and an overwhelming 76% of voters agreed with them. A library district was created, and the Chambermaids succeeded in record time, opening a library that, in their words, would provide a window to the world. Today, VTL has grown beyond the Chambermaids' wildest dreams and offers a far greater variety of resources and services than were available when the doors opened. We love our books, of course, but we also circulate essential items such as laptops, power tools, and even sunlamps for dark winters. We have a seed library, film screenings, cooking demonstrations, free Wi-Fi, and a makerspace. While the specific collections and materials change, what has not – and will not – change is our dedication to the mission of inspiring lifelong learning, encouraging exploration and creativity, and enriching lives.
Library History
The History Of The Valley of the Tetons District Library
The Valley of the Tetons District Library's history began with a passionate group of community members who recognized the importance of having a library. Since its inception in 1966, the library has expanded its offerings significantly, now operating three branches in Victor, Driggs, and Tetonia, with an annex programming space next to the Driggs branch. The library has become a cornerstone of the community, providing year-round programming, services, and resources to the residents of Teton Valley and the many visitors who pass through each year. VTL continually adapts to meet the changing needs of the community, ensuring that it remains a relevant and engaging space for everyone. The library's commitment to outreach and community connection solidifies its role as an essential resource for lifelong learning and engagement.
About the Community
About The Valley of the Tetons Area
Teton Valley is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant community spirit. Nestled in the shadow of the Teton Mountains, this area has a rich history and a strong sense of community. The Valley of the Tetons District Library plays a vital role in connecting residents with local history, culture, and resources. Through its extensive collections and programs, the library enhances the community's cultural fabric, making it a welcoming space for all.
Local History
Did You Know?
Did you know that the Valley of the Tetons District Library not only offers traditional library services but also circulates unique items such as power tools and sunlamps? This innovative approach helps the library meet diverse community needs, ensuring that everyone has access to valuable resources that enrich their lives. Additionally, VTL's commitment to lifelong learning and creativity is exemplified through its various programs and makerspace, which encourage exploration and discovery for all ages.
More ways to explore and share local history
Research Guidance
Read a report in its time and place
A family name, a familiar street or a story passed down through generations can lead to a closer look at the history of Driggs. The digital archive shared by the Valley of the Tetons District Library offers a place to begin. When using historical newspapers, try alternate spellings and nearby dates, then read the surrounding page to place a local story in its time. Compare later reporting or another available title to explore different perspectives rather than treating one account as the whole story. Check nearby issues or another listed newspaper when available. Differences in timing and wording can add perspective to a story, while the issue date and surrounding articles help show what kind of account you are reading.
Follow a promising report into a nearby issue or another title where available. Compare dates and surrounding coverage; a single account is one perspective on a story. Use the surrounding account to shape your next question, while keeping each source's perspective distinct.
Keep the title, date, page, or item reference with each useful finding. Separate the words in a historical account from your interpretation, and note conflicting perspectives rather than choosing one too quickly. These notes help connect a local story to its evidence and show what remains uncertain.
Community Partnership
Keeping local history a community resource
This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the Valley of the Tetons District Library, its community, and Advantage Archives. Together, these partnerships preserve local sources and give people a way to explore, learn from, and share the history around them.
Advantage Archives covers ongoing archive hosting, storage, development, and maintenance. The institution and its community do not pay a subscription, seat license, annual support contract, or other recurring archive-service charge. Local history remains a community resource, not a subscription to maintain.
Would you like to see more of your community's history preserved and accessible? Start a conversation with your library, newspaper publisher, historical or genealogical society, museum, or school about the materials they would like to share and a possible partnership with Advantage Archives.
Learn about partnerships
Stories, research tips, and archive news
Read All About It connects archive research with the people and institutions preserving local history. Explore partner and community stories, project updates, research ideas, and perspectives on digitization, education, and working with primary sources. Use the articles as a starting point for your next question or a new way to share a discovery.
May 7, 2025
Why Microfilm is still important in 2023
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Don’t Search For An Obituary By Only Searching For An “Obituary”
In the quest to trace our roots and understand our heritage, obituaries often serve as a crucial starting point. Obituaries are undoubtedly…
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April 9, 2025
Unveiling the Hidden Mysteries: Exploring Cold Cases and Unconventional Clues
Even the most esteemed police forces in the county encounter perplexing cold case files. These unsolved mysteries often leave investigators and genealogists…
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April 1, 2025
This Week in History: March 31st through April 6th
Discover History in The Community History Archives. This week in history, there is absolutely nothing to talk about… April Fools! April…
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March 24, 2025
This Week in History: March 24th through March 30th
Discover History in The Community History Archives. It has officially been a year since I started writing This Week in History,…
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March 18, 2025
It’s Your Community’s History, So Why Rent Something You Own?
We believe that history belongs to the communities where it was made - not locked behind paywalls or inaccessible due to budget restrictions. Subscription-based services and large content aggregators are generally more concerned with "content" and less concerned with the history that content contains. Their models typically involve a reoccurring charge for a plan that renews annually or licensing agreements with the library based on population served or circulation numbers. You are essentially Renting Access To YOUR History.
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