LIBRARIES IN CHINA AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA DESIGNATED UNITED NATIONS DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES

LIBRARIES IN CHINA AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA DESIGNATED

UNITED NATIONSDEPOSITORY LIBRARIES

Three libraries, located in China and the Republic of Korea, have been designated United Nations depository libraries, becoming part of an international network of 406 libraries in 144 countries and territories that brings United Nations documents and publications to users around the world.  They are the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Beijing, China), Yan-Tai University (Yan-Tai, China) and Dong-eui University (Pusan, Republic of Korea).

The Institute of Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) in Beijing becomes the nineteenth United Nations depository library in China. Established in 1977, CASS is the highest academic research organization in this field in China.  The Library of the Institute of Law, whose facilities are used by 430 persons on a regular basis, holds about 300,000 monographs and 20,000 serials in Chinese as well as other languages.  Two librarians will be assigned to maintain the United Nations deposit, which consists of online access to the full text of parliamentary documents and printed publications in Chinese and English.

The Law School of Yan-Tai University in Yan-Tai, established in 1984, becomes the twentieth United Nations depository library in China.  The Law School Library, which provides service to 1,500 regular users, holds approximately

15,000 monographs and 16,000 serials in Chinese and other languages.  Two librarians will be assigned to maintain the United Nations deposit, which consists of printed publications and masthead documents of the United Nations, including Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) masthead documents, in Chinese and English.

Dong-eui University in Pusan becomes the eighth United Nations depository library in the Republic of Korea.  Founded in 1979 as Dong-eui College, the University has about 22,600 students and 850 faculty members.  Its Central Library, which holds 635,000 monographs and serials, established the Dong-eui Library Information Automation System, the first library automation project in the country.  More than 24,000 persons use the Library annually.  Two librarians will be assigned to manage the United Nations deposit, which consists of online access to the full text of parliamentary documents and printed publications in English.

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 406 United Nations depository libraries:  55 are located in Africa, 111 in Asia and the Pacific, 19 in Western Asia, 31 in Eastern Europe, 81 in Western

Europe, 51 in Latin America and the Caribbean and 58 in North America.  These libraries receive United Nations materials, with the understanding that their collections will be maintained in good order and made available to the general 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 than developed countries.

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 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 at Geneva.

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