Dag Hammarskjöld Library to Launch New Online Resource to Facilitate Research

on Member States’ Actions, Make Information More Accessible

Tomorrow, 13 November, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library will officially launch “UN Member States on the Record” (http://www.un.org/memberstatesontherecord), a new research tool which will dramatically facilitate research on the work and actions of each Member State, and make information more accessible and easy to find.

Based on frequently asked questions, the Library developed this tool to highlight the work and actions of each individual Member State and to consolidate information scattered in multiple databases to one user-friendly resource.  This opens the rich primary research resource of United Nations documents to anyone who can browse the web -- delegates, Model UN participants, or interested citizens from around the world.

Information available for each Member State includes the key documents related to its membership in the United Nations, statements made before the principal organs, draft resolutions sponsored, periodic reports submitted on human rights conventions, and more.

Running behind this new research tool are preset searches on multiple databases maintained by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library.  A single click links people to the most accurate, up-to-date results, and yet also includes extensive historic coverage.  Full text documents are linked in all official languages of the United Nations.

The launch coincides with the anniversary of the General Assembly’s dedication of the new library building as the Dag Hammarskjöld Library on 16 November 1961, and honours the Library’s commitment to providing innovative information services.

To familiarize delegates and staff of permanent missions and staff of the Secretariat with the features of the new research tool, training will be scheduled on an ongoing basis.  To register for training, contact the Dag Hammarskjöld Library at tel: +1 212 963 5321, e-mail: librarytraining@un.org.

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For information media • not an official record