- Email: [email protected]
Dag Hammarskjöld Library (DHL) Website
Reviews / Journal of Government Information 27 (2000) 391–429
393
impressive. By combining the datasets, the analytical software, the glossary of concepts, and the user support all in one package, Frey and his team have created a powerful learning tool that can challenge undergraduates and enhance their reasoning and problem-solving skills. Mark Anderson Government Documents Department James A. Michener Library University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO 80639-0091, USA PII: S1352-0237(00)00162-3
Dag Hammarskjöld Library (DHL) Website United Nations, Department of Public Information, New York ⬍http://ww.un.org/Depts/ dhl⬎, [Accessed September 1999] Since its inception in 1996, the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library (DHL) Web site has evolved into an outstanding source of United Nations research information. The site is comprised of two parts: “About the Library” and “Information Resources.” The main purpose of the first section is to provide UN delegates and staff with library materials needed to fulfill their duties. As such, it contains information about library services, collections, electronic resources, and publications, much of which is unavailable outside the UN system. The second section contains a wealth of information intended for the general public, including research guides, bibliographies, pathfinders, and Internet databases. Some of these, like the United Nations Info Quest Database (UN-I-QUE), are first-class reference tools, originally developed by DHL professionals to serve the UN community. These and other features, like the “UN System Pathfinder” and “United Nations Documentation: A Research Guide,” have played a significant role in opening up the DHL system to the world, and allowed researchers and librarians everywhere to benefit from the quality of its collections and staff. Perhaps the site’s most notable feature arrived in January 1997, with the launching of the United Nations Info Quest Database (UN-I-QUE), an online reference tool that provides bibliographic access to thousands of UN documents and publications. UN-I-QUE is a Webbased adaptation of a customized reference service developed by DHL librarians to assist members of the UN community with frequent, time-consuming questions. Originally maintained as a file of typed cards, the system later migrated onto an automated information retrieval system of simplified bibliographic files, which included information on declarations, communiqués, conferences, workshops, bibliographies, and other frequently requested information1. The Dag Hammarskjöld Library’s decision to make many of these files public via the Internet was hailed in a June/July 1998 article in American Libraries as a major step forward in creating a “library without walls for the international community”2. UN-I-QUE provides access to UN documents symbols and sales numbers of a recurrent nature, including resolutions, speeches, presidential statements, committee reports, declarations, and conference information. Search results are displayed according to relevance, in re-
394
Reviews / Journal of Government Information 27 (2000) 391–429
verse chronological order. While an invaluable reference tool, UN-I-QUE does not replace the United Nations Bibliographic Information System (UNBIS), which provides complete bibliographic access to documents and publications of the Dag Hammarskjöld Library and the UN Library in Geneva. Although it lacks the power of UNBIS, the advantage of UN-IQUE lies in its selectivity. A search for information on East Timor on UN-I-QUE yields 14 results, including Security Council speeches, resolutions, and peacekeeping information. In contrast, a subject search on UNBIS (1995–present) yields 125; a long list to sort through if comprehensive information is unnecessary. In short, UN-I-QUE functions like a virtual UN reference librarian, taking citations to quality UN documents and making them accessible on the Internet. The database also features advanced search strategies, allowing users to limit searches to debate in the General Assembly, committee reports, declarations, conferences, commemorative speeches, reports of rapporteurs, and more, with citations for selected materials dating back to 1946. UN-I-QUE’s advanced search capabilities and relevant subject matter have made it a wellknown feature of this site, but there are several other quality research tools that should not be overlooked. For those seeking assistance with UN document symbols and sales numbers, the DHL has included “United Nations Documentation: A Research Guide.” This overview of United Nations documents and publications can be confusing to navigate, but the information is solid, and suitable for users at all levels. The first section is an easy-to-follow guide to UN documentation. Documents symbols, sales publications and official records are defined and explained, accompanied by examples, numbering systems, and date information. The next sections, on reference tools and indexes, are excellent and acquaint the reader with important sources needed for most UN research: the Yearbook of the United Nations, the United Nations Handbook, the Encyclopedia of the United Nations, and Everyone’s United Nations, as well as UNDOC, UNBIS, and the Indexes to Proceedings. The research guide’s next sections on parliamentary documents, resolutions and decisions, and speeches are not for the faint of heart. In part this is due to the complexity of the UN parliamentary process, but the search for information is hindered further by multiple tables of contents and buried information. Despite the need for improved design, one can find concise explanations of documents issued by main UN bodies: agenda information, committee reports, voting records, presidential statements, and more. There are pages on locating speech information and press releases, and a section on “special topics,” which provides information on UN bodies working in the fields of human rights, peacekeeping, and international law. These are definitely worth investigating. The page on International Law leads the reader to information and links to International Courts, Tribunals, and Principal Legal Bodies of the United Nations, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Law Commission, and the International Criminal Court (ICC). There are links to statutes, press releases, and communiqués, as well as descriptive information and links to summaries of ICJ actions. This information, combined with annotated bibliographies of publications for selected agencies, makes this a first-class guide. For an excellent overview of United Nations publishing, researchers should consult the “UN System Pathfinder,” a subject bibliography of UN documents and publications of current interest, including disarmament, economic development, the environment, human rights, international law, and peacekeeping. Entries are listed alphabetically by section, and contain
Reviews / Journal of Government Information 27 (2000) 391–429
395
information on title, publisher, date, and keyword. Document symbols, sales numbers, and UN Library call numbers are included, with annotations, links to publishers, and selected full-text documents. This is a substantial bibliography, with nearly 500 entries from over a dozen UN main bodies and specialized agencies, but the bibliographical features of the DHL Web page do not stop there. The “Reference Guides” section of the site contains comprehensive bibliographies on core UN topics, including the UN Charter, the Security Council, the Secretary-General, and UN Peacekeeping Operations. With all of these features taken into account, the amount of bibliographical information on the site is impressive, and qualifies the page as an exceptional research Web site. Other noteworthy parts of the site include “Documents Alert,” a service listing important UN documents issued during the past two months. Brief annotations and some full-text links are provided, and the user can choose between documents sorted by release date or document symbol. As librarians who maintain such services know, the amount of work required for such a service is considerable, but quite valuable. Another worthwhile category in the “About the Library” section is information about depository libraries. This page provides a clickable list of links to UN depositories by country, along with “Instructions to Depository Libraries” (UN document ST/LIB/13/Rev.5) and “Principles Governing United Nations Depository Libraries” (ST/AI/189/Add.11/Rev.2). These are both essential documents for UN depositories to have for questions on terms of deposit, claiming procedures, and correspondence. Finally, a link to the United Nations Cartographic Section’s mapping page, maintained by a team of map and GIS specialists, offers 13 maps on UN peacekeeping missions, as well as over 100 high-resolution general maps, by region, country, and UN economic commission. Overall the interface is graphically straightforward and easy to navigate. At times one gets bogged down in multiple menus with too many links from which to choose, but this is a minor quibble. The quality of this site reflects favorably on the Dag Hammarskjöld Library staff, who have created a substantial Web page that offers in-depth bibliographies, documents alert services, and online reference tools of substance. The fact that the DHL has never been under an obligation to offer this expertise to the public makes the site an even more welcome contribution, and demonstrates the library’s commitment to make its resources available to the world. Notes 1. Maureen Ratynski, “The Dag Hammarskjöld Library at a Glance,” in International Information: Documents, Publications, and Electronic Information of International Government Organizations, 2d ed., ed. Peter I. Hajnal, (Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1997), 279, 290. 2. Ron Chepesiuk, “The Dag Hammarskjöld Library Reaches Out to the World,” American Libraries, 29 (June/July 1998): 66–68.
James A. Church University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093-0175, USA PII: S1352-0237(00)00177-5
393
impressive. By combining the datasets, the analytical software, the glossary of concepts, and the user support all in one package, Frey and his team have created a powerful learning tool that can challenge undergraduates and enhance their reasoning and problem-solving skills. Mark Anderson Government Documents Department James A. Michener Library University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO 80639-0091, USA PII: S1352-0237(00)00162-3
Dag Hammarskjöld Library (DHL) Website United Nations, Department of Public Information, New York ⬍http://ww.un.org/Depts/ dhl⬎, [Accessed September 1999] Since its inception in 1996, the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library (DHL) Web site has evolved into an outstanding source of United Nations research information. The site is comprised of two parts: “About the Library” and “Information Resources.” The main purpose of the first section is to provide UN delegates and staff with library materials needed to fulfill their duties. As such, it contains information about library services, collections, electronic resources, and publications, much of which is unavailable outside the UN system. The second section contains a wealth of information intended for the general public, including research guides, bibliographies, pathfinders, and Internet databases. Some of these, like the United Nations Info Quest Database (UN-I-QUE), are first-class reference tools, originally developed by DHL professionals to serve the UN community. These and other features, like the “UN System Pathfinder” and “United Nations Documentation: A Research Guide,” have played a significant role in opening up the DHL system to the world, and allowed researchers and librarians everywhere to benefit from the quality of its collections and staff. Perhaps the site’s most notable feature arrived in January 1997, with the launching of the United Nations Info Quest Database (UN-I-QUE), an online reference tool that provides bibliographic access to thousands of UN documents and publications. UN-I-QUE is a Webbased adaptation of a customized reference service developed by DHL librarians to assist members of the UN community with frequent, time-consuming questions. Originally maintained as a file of typed cards, the system later migrated onto an automated information retrieval system of simplified bibliographic files, which included information on declarations, communiqués, conferences, workshops, bibliographies, and other frequently requested information1. The Dag Hammarskjöld Library’s decision to make many of these files public via the Internet was hailed in a June/July 1998 article in American Libraries as a major step forward in creating a “library without walls for the international community”2. UN-I-QUE provides access to UN documents symbols and sales numbers of a recurrent nature, including resolutions, speeches, presidential statements, committee reports, declarations, and conference information. Search results are displayed according to relevance, in re-
394
Reviews / Journal of Government Information 27 (2000) 391–429
verse chronological order. While an invaluable reference tool, UN-I-QUE does not replace the United Nations Bibliographic Information System (UNBIS), which provides complete bibliographic access to documents and publications of the Dag Hammarskjöld Library and the UN Library in Geneva. Although it lacks the power of UNBIS, the advantage of UN-IQUE lies in its selectivity. A search for information on East Timor on UN-I-QUE yields 14 results, including Security Council speeches, resolutions, and peacekeeping information. In contrast, a subject search on UNBIS (1995–present) yields 125; a long list to sort through if comprehensive information is unnecessary. In short, UN-I-QUE functions like a virtual UN reference librarian, taking citations to quality UN documents and making them accessible on the Internet. The database also features advanced search strategies, allowing users to limit searches to debate in the General Assembly, committee reports, declarations, conferences, commemorative speeches, reports of rapporteurs, and more, with citations for selected materials dating back to 1946. UN-I-QUE’s advanced search capabilities and relevant subject matter have made it a wellknown feature of this site, but there are several other quality research tools that should not be overlooked. For those seeking assistance with UN document symbols and sales numbers, the DHL has included “United Nations Documentation: A Research Guide.” This overview of United Nations documents and publications can be confusing to navigate, but the information is solid, and suitable for users at all levels. The first section is an easy-to-follow guide to UN documentation. Documents symbols, sales publications and official records are defined and explained, accompanied by examples, numbering systems, and date information. The next sections, on reference tools and indexes, are excellent and acquaint the reader with important sources needed for most UN research: the Yearbook of the United Nations, the United Nations Handbook, the Encyclopedia of the United Nations, and Everyone’s United Nations, as well as UNDOC, UNBIS, and the Indexes to Proceedings. The research guide’s next sections on parliamentary documents, resolutions and decisions, and speeches are not for the faint of heart. In part this is due to the complexity of the UN parliamentary process, but the search for information is hindered further by multiple tables of contents and buried information. Despite the need for improved design, one can find concise explanations of documents issued by main UN bodies: agenda information, committee reports, voting records, presidential statements, and more. There are pages on locating speech information and press releases, and a section on “special topics,” which provides information on UN bodies working in the fields of human rights, peacekeeping, and international law. These are definitely worth investigating. The page on International Law leads the reader to information and links to International Courts, Tribunals, and Principal Legal Bodies of the United Nations, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Law Commission, and the International Criminal Court (ICC). There are links to statutes, press releases, and communiqués, as well as descriptive information and links to summaries of ICJ actions. This information, combined with annotated bibliographies of publications for selected agencies, makes this a first-class guide. For an excellent overview of United Nations publishing, researchers should consult the “UN System Pathfinder,” a subject bibliography of UN documents and publications of current interest, including disarmament, economic development, the environment, human rights, international law, and peacekeeping. Entries are listed alphabetically by section, and contain
Reviews / Journal of Government Information 27 (2000) 391–429
395
information on title, publisher, date, and keyword. Document symbols, sales numbers, and UN Library call numbers are included, with annotations, links to publishers, and selected full-text documents. This is a substantial bibliography, with nearly 500 entries from over a dozen UN main bodies and specialized agencies, but the bibliographical features of the DHL Web page do not stop there. The “Reference Guides” section of the site contains comprehensive bibliographies on core UN topics, including the UN Charter, the Security Council, the Secretary-General, and UN Peacekeeping Operations. With all of these features taken into account, the amount of bibliographical information on the site is impressive, and qualifies the page as an exceptional research Web site. Other noteworthy parts of the site include “Documents Alert,” a service listing important UN documents issued during the past two months. Brief annotations and some full-text links are provided, and the user can choose between documents sorted by release date or document symbol. As librarians who maintain such services know, the amount of work required for such a service is considerable, but quite valuable. Another worthwhile category in the “About the Library” section is information about depository libraries. This page provides a clickable list of links to UN depositories by country, along with “Instructions to Depository Libraries” (UN document ST/LIB/13/Rev.5) and “Principles Governing United Nations Depository Libraries” (ST/AI/189/Add.11/Rev.2). These are both essential documents for UN depositories to have for questions on terms of deposit, claiming procedures, and correspondence. Finally, a link to the United Nations Cartographic Section’s mapping page, maintained by a team of map and GIS specialists, offers 13 maps on UN peacekeeping missions, as well as over 100 high-resolution general maps, by region, country, and UN economic commission. Overall the interface is graphically straightforward and easy to navigate. At times one gets bogged down in multiple menus with too many links from which to choose, but this is a minor quibble. The quality of this site reflects favorably on the Dag Hammarskjöld Library staff, who have created a substantial Web page that offers in-depth bibliographies, documents alert services, and online reference tools of substance. The fact that the DHL has never been under an obligation to offer this expertise to the public makes the site an even more welcome contribution, and demonstrates the library’s commitment to make its resources available to the world. Notes 1. Maureen Ratynski, “The Dag Hammarskjöld Library at a Glance,” in International Information: Documents, Publications, and Electronic Information of International Government Organizations, 2d ed., ed. Peter I. Hajnal, (Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1997), 279, 290. 2. Ron Chepesiuk, “The Dag Hammarskjöld Library Reaches Out to the World,” American Libraries, 29 (June/July 1998): 66–68.
James A. Church University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093-0175, USA PII: S1352-0237(00)00177-5