Newspapers can often be great sources of
primary research materials.

Unfortunately not all newspapers are
available in digital format.

Some newspapers are only available on
microfiche and/or microfilm, especially from 1923-1980s.

.

To find articles in the San Francisco Chronicle in 1953,
for example, you would first start with the index on microfiche
(in the Microform area of the Library). 

Once you found the correct entries, you would note the date of the paper, and the page/column (see below).

Then you could find the roll of microfilm, put it in the reader/scanner, and find the article:

SF Chronicle, 9-2-53, p.4, col. 1

Other newspapers on Microfilm:

[located in the Microform Area on the 2d floor of the Library]

The Sacramento Bee (1908-1978, 1988-Jan 1991) is also available on microfilm, but no index is available.  You may be limited to searching dates following the riots.

The Press Democrat has a very limited index, which is available only in card format in Special Collections. Using this index is by appointment only.

While not specifically about the 1953 riots, there is later media coverage of the school which may be of interest.

Some newspapers are available online for certain periods of time.
Always check the date range carefully.

The Historical Los Angeles Times has articles written in the 1950s.

NewsLibrary provides a search tool for may local newspapers. Searching is free, but getting the article is not. It can help you identify a particular date an article appeared, which you may then find on microfilm.

Newspapers.com can provide links to many small town newspapers, but it requires registration for a 7-day trial or a monthly subscription of $7.95.

ProQuest Global Newsstream provides more recent articles in the Press Democrat and San Francisco Chronicle (1980- ). This would include more recent developments at Los Guilicos Juvenile Hall, and articles examining the history, such as those by Gaye LeBaron.