United Nations Information Centres

Reference libraries

Introduction

Among the valued services provided by UNICs are their reference libraries, which provide the public with access to a comprehensive collection of United Nations publications, reports and official records. Almost all UNICs have such libraries where UNIC reference assistants provide personalized service and guidance to visitors in accessing the growing volume of information available in the library and on the Internet. The majority of people who visit United Nations Information Centres do so to use the library services. On average, over 200,000 people visit UNIC libraries annually.



Print Information Materials

The following list provides examples of the types of materials that might be found in a UNIC reference library:

  1. Reference materials of the UN and its funds, programmes and agencies;
  2. UN documents and publications such as:
    • Charter of the United Nations
    • Universal Declaration of Human Rights
    • UN yearbooks
    • The UN Today
    • Books, periodicals, maps and posters


Online Information Materials

Equipped with modern communications technology, such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and the Internet, UNICs can also obtain documentation electronically from Headquarters. The following list represents some of the online materials available for browsing:

  1. UNBISNET and other databases of the Dag Hammarskjöld Library;
  2. Official Documents System of the United Nations (ODS);
  3. United Nations Publications Catalogue;
  4. Research Guide to UN Documentation.


Video collections

UNICs also maintain United Nations film and video collections that are available on loan to local broadcasters, non-governmental organizations and educational institutions



Additional information

Almost all UNICs have reference libraries where UNIC reference assistants provide personalized service and guidance to visitors in accessing the growing volume of information available in the library and on the Internet. Please visit the websites of the UN Information Centres to find out more about their library services.