NEW UNITED NATIONS LIBRARY OPENS IN HAVANA

Press Release
PI/1213

NEW UNITED NATIONS LIBRARY OPENS IN HAVANA

The Centro de Documentaci(n de la Asociaci(n Cubana de las Naciones Unidas, in Havana, has been designated a depository library, making it part of an international network of 373 libraries in 143 countries that bring United Nations documents and publications to users around the world. The Centro de Documentaci(n de la Asociaci(n Cubana de las Naciones Unidas becomes the second depository library in Cuba.

The Asociaci(n Cubana de las Naciones Unidas was established as a non- governmental organization on 31 May 1947. The Documentation Centre has a collection of 3,063 monographs and pamphlets, 291 serial titles and 1,407 United Nations documents. It is equipped with a Pentium II Multimedia PC, a CD-ROM tower, a printer and a scanner. Access to the library materials is available through an on-line computer catalogue based on the CDS/ISIS software. Reference, loan and copying services are provided. The Documentation Centre also publishes the monthly “Boletín Electrónico de Nuevas Adquisiciones” (a list of materials acquired by the Centre) as well as the annual publication entitled “Boletín Bibliográfico”. Both publications are distributed by electronic mail. The staff includes two professional librarians.

Since 1946, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library at United Nations Headquarters in New York, which is part of the Department of Public Information (DPI), has arranged for the distribution of United Nations documents and publications to users around the world through its depository library system. At present, there are 373 United Nations depository libraries: 55 are located in Africa, 100 in Asia and the Pacific, 32 in Eastern Europe, 83 in Western Europe, 49 in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 54 in North America. These libraries receive United Nations materials, with the understanding that their collections will be maintained in good working order and be available to the public free of charge.

United Nations Member States, as well as non-Members, are entitled to one "free depository", usually the national library in the capital city. In addition the national parliamentary library, if open to the public, is also entitled to receive material free of charge. Other depository libraries pay a token annual contribution to receive United Nations documentation. Developing countries pay a significantly smaller amount.

The designation of depositories is carried out by the United Nations Publications Board. The degree of development of the requesting libraries and the overall geographic distribution of depository libraries in the countries concerned are among the criteria used.

United Nations professional librarians and information officers make periodic visits to the depository libraries to provide assistance and training in the management of the United Nations collection. In addition, special training seminars for depository librarians are periodically organized by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library in New York and by the Library of the United Nations Office in Geneva.

* *** *