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Contents:
I. United Nations Documents at the University of Chicago Library
The University of Chicago Library was a United Nations depository from 1946 through 1997. We now receive all United Nations official publications on Readex microfiche (1990- ) and major English language publications on paper. Most paper documents are listed in the online catalog and shelved according to the Library of Congress classification system. The Readex microfiche set is arranged by United Nations classification number and is located in the Microform Reading Room (microfc JX 1977.A1U419).
AccessUN is an electronic resource available from the University of Chicago Library's web site that is key for finding UN documents at the University of Chicago. AccessUN contains citations or full-text for major United Nations documents from 1966 to the present.
United Nations documentation: research guide provides an excellent tool for the introduction to the UN documentation system.
Reference librarians at the University of Chicago Library can assist you in identifying and locating United Nations publications at this library or at other libraries if what you need is not available here.
Introduction | UN Classification System | Major Electronic Resources | Major Print Resources | Other Sources of UN Information
II. United Nations Classification System
The United Nations maintains its own classification system, which consists of combinations of capital letters and Arabic numerals. The first component reflects the parent organ issuing the document or to which the document is being submitted:
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A/- |
General Assembly |
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S/- |
Security Council |
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E/- |
Economic and Social Council |
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ST/- |
Secretariat |
Secondary and tertiary components indicate subsidiary bodies:
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-/AC/- |
Ad hoc committee |
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-/C/- |
Standing/permanent/main committee |
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-/CN/- |
Commission |
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-/CONF/- |
Conference |
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-/GC/- |
Governing council |
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-/PC/- |
Preparatory committee |
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-/SC/- |
Subcommittee |
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-/Sub/- |
Subcommission |
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-/WG/- |
Working group |
Special components that follow reflect the nature of the document (e.g. -/PET/- = Petition), and the final component, appearing as a suffix to a symbol, reflects modifications to the original text (e.g. -/Add. = Addendum).
A more extensive explanation of the UN classification system may be found in United Nations Documentation: A Brief Guide (JX 1977.8.D6U57 1981 GEN, Law) or accessed via the Internet at http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/symbol.htm.
Introduction | UN Classification System | Major Electronic Resources | Major Print Resources | Other Sources of UN Information
III. Major Electronic Resources for the United Nations
The following electronic resources provide news and information about the United Nations and its activities and are available through the University of Chicago Library's web site. Some of these resources provide access to the full-text of documents, while others provide only citations. Once you have determined which documents you need, please ask a reference librarian for assistance in locating a particular title.
AccessUN -- A Readex/NewsBank database, AccessUN is considered a key online source of United Nations documents and sales publications. Access UN provides indexing of United Nations documents from 1966 to the present, and selected full text of General Assembly, Security Council and Economic and Social Council resolutions. AccessUN also includes links from bibliographic citations to full-text documents on other web sites. Access restricted to University of Chicago faculty, students and staff.
InfoNation -- Produced by the United Nations, InfoNation is a database that allows you to view and compare the most up-to-date statistical data for the member states of the United Nations. In the first menu, you can select up to seven countries. Then, you can proceed to the data menu where you will be able to select multiple statistical data fields. Available without subscription.
Official Document System of the United Nations--retrieves documents only from the UN Documentation database (documents and preliminary versions of UN resolutions. The United Nations Official Document System (ODS) is a system for storing and retrieving United Nations documents that allows users to search for and retrieve documents. They include pre-session, in-session and post-session documentation for meetings of the General Assembly and its subsidiary bodies, the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies, the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies and the Trusteeship Council, and for global conferences convened by the United Nations as well as for other meetings included in the Calendar of Conferences and Meetings authorized by the General Assembly. Parliamentary documents and official records issued at United Nations Headquarters and at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) since 1993 as well as documents issued at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and at the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) since 1997 are available in text and PDF format. In addition, all resolutions and decisions in official records format of the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council in all official languages from 1946 onwards have been loaded onto the system. (restricted to U of C)
Statistical -- Produced by Congressional Information Service, Inc. (CIS). Statistical offers access to statistical information worldwide. Users may search summaries of statistical publications, then link to the full-text of selected publications on Statistical and government web sites. Contains citations from the print publications United Nations Statistical Yearbook, American Statistics Index, Statistical Reference Index, and Index to International Statistics. Access restricted to University of Chicago faculty, students and staff.
United Nations -- The official UN web site, where many UN documents may be accessed in full or in part. Also contains detailed information on how to identify and locate UN documents, how they are classified, and which bodies create them. Available without subscription.
United Nations Common Database--United Nations. Statistics Division of the Dept. of Economics and Social affairs-provides international statistics, links to national publications with economic and social data and international statistical yearbooks. Provides data on international trade, national accounts, energy, industry, environment, transport and demographic and social statistics gathered from many national and international sources.
United Nations System Pathfinder -- Produced by the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library, the purpose of the pathfinder is to identify major publications of the organizations comprising the United Nations system. Materials were selected with a view to currency, relevance and usefulness. Global studies and reports, handbooks and guides, bibliographies and indices, international statistical publications, compilations of treaties, resolutions and documents as well as annual reports of UN bodies and specialized agencies are included. Available without subscription.
United Nations Treaty Collection--PDF files of treaties deposited with the Secretary General (restricted to U of C)
Introduction | UN Classification System | Major Electronic Resources | Major Print Resources | Other Sources of UN Information
IV. Major Print Resources for the United Nations
A. General Guides to United Nations Organization and Activities
The following guides provide basic information about the mission, organization, and current activities of the United Nations. Selected articles from issues of the UN Chronicle published since 1997 can be accessed via the Internet.
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Basic Facts about the United Nations. New York: United Nations, Department of Public Information. |
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Holdings: 1977, 1980, 1983, 1989, 1992, 1995, 1998- |
Location: last v. RRExp, Gen., Law |
Call Number: JX 1977.A236 |
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Charter of the United Nations. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1945. |
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Location: Gen. |
Call Number: JX1977.A15 1945 |
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Everyone's United Nations. New York: United Nations, Department of Public Information. |
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Holdings: 1977/78-1986 |
Location: Last v. RRExp, Gen., Law |
Call Number: JX 1977.A237 |
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International Information: Documents, Publications, and Electronic Information of International Government Organizations, 2nd ed. / by Peter I. Hajnal. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, 1997. |
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Location: RR, Law |
Call Number: JZ 4850.I58 1997 |
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UN Chronicle. New York: United Nations, Department of Public Information. |
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Holdings: 1975- |
Location: Gen., Law |
Call Number: JX 1977.A1U18 |
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United Nations Handbook. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
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Holdings: 1994- |
Location: Last v. RRExp, Gen., Law |
Call Number: JX 1977.N4 |
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Yearbook of the United Nations. New York: United Nations, Department of Public Information. |
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Holdings: 1947/48- |
Location: Last v. RRExp, RR2, Gen., Harper, Law |
Call Number: JX 1977.A1U66 |
Introduction | UN Classification System | Major Electronic Resources | Major Print Resources | Other Sources of UN Information
The following guides provide detailed information about the documents published by the United Nations and its agencies. A monthly list of new titles published by the United Nations since 1996 can be accessed through the Internet.
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The Complete Reference Guide to United Nations Sales Publications, 1946-1978 / by Mary Eva Birchfield. Pleasantville, New York: Unifo, 1982. |
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Location: RR, Law |
Call Number: Z 6485.U39 1982 |
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United Nations Documentation: A Brief Guide. New York: United Nations, 1981. |
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Location: Gen, Law |
Call Number: JX 1977.8.D6U57 1981 |
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United Nations Documentation: List of Basic Reference Sources. New York: United Nations, Department of Public Information, 1995. |
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Location: Gen. |
Call Number: JX 1977.A39 1995 |
Introduction | UN Classification System | Major Electronic Resources | Major Print Resources | Other Sources of UN Information
The official records of the United Nations include the final verbatim records of the plenary meetings of the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly Council, the Security Council, and the Trusteeship Council. Resolutions and decisions of these bodies are also part of the official records and are issued separately. Since the library no longer receives these publications in paper, consult AccessUN or the Readex microfiche set of UN documents for recent material.
Economic and Social Council
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Official records. Lake Success, New York: United Nations, Economic and Social Council. |
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Holdings: 1946-1993 |
Location: Gen., Law |
Call Number: HC 59.U6 |
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Resolutions and decisions of the Economic and Social Council. New York: United Nations, Economic and Social Council. |
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Holdings: 1975-1995 |
Location: Gen. |
Call Number: HC 59.U61 |
General Assembly
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Official records of the General Assembly. Lake Success, New York: United Nations, General Assembly. |
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Holdings: 1946-1993 |
Location: Gen, Law |
Call Number: JX 1977.A3 |
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Resolutions and Decisions Adopted by the General Assembly. New York, United Nations, General Assembly. |
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Holdings: 1976-1998 |
Location: Gen, Law |
Call Number: JX 1977.A3701 |
Security Council
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Official records. Lake Success, New York: United Nations, Security Council. |
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Holdings: 1946-1994 |
Location: Gen, Law |
Call Number: JX 1977.A51 |
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Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council. New York: United Nations, Security Council. |
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Holdings: 1946-1995 |
Location: Gen |
Call Number: JX 1977.A533 |
Trusteeship Council
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Official records. Lake Success, New York: United Nations, Trusteeship Council. |
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Holdings: 1947-1971, 1973-1977 |
Location: Law |
Call Number: JX 4021.U35 |
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Resolutions and Decisions of the Trusteeship Council. New York: United Nations, Trusteeship Council. |
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Holdings: 1947-1987 |
Location: Gen |
Call Number: JX 4021.U4 |
Introduction | UN Classification System | Major Electronic Resources | Major Print Resources | Other Sources of UN Information
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Statement of Treaties and International Agreements Registered or Filed and Recorded with the Secretariat During [Year]. New York: United Nations, Office of Legal Affairs. JX179.U52 RR2,Law
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Holdings: 1962- |
Location: Law |
Call Number: JX 170.U52 |
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United Nations Treaty Series: Treaties and International Agreements Registered or Filed and Recorded with the Secretariat of the United Nations. New York: United Nations. |
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Holdings: 1946/1947- |
Location: Gen., Law |
Call Number: JX 170.U5 |
Introduction | UN Classification System | Major Electronic Resources | Major Print Resources | Other Sources of UN Information
The publications that follow are the major statistical annuals produced by the United Nations. These publications cover trade, public finance, economics, demographics, labor and health. To identify other statistical publications produced by the United Nations and its agencies, please Index to International Statistics (Z 6464.I6I5 RR).
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Demographic Yearbook/Annuaire Demographique. Lake Success, NY: United Nations, Statistical Office. |
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Holdings: 1948- |
Location: Last v. RRExp, RR2, Gen. |
Call Number: HB 881.A1D4 |
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International Financial Statistics Yearbook. Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund. |
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Holdings: 1949- |
Location: Last v. RRExp, Gen., Law |
Call Number: HG 3881.I632 |
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International Trade Statistics Yearbook/Annuaire Statistique du Commerce International. New York: United Nations, Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, Statistical Office. |
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Holdings: 1983- |
Location: Last v. RR, Gen. |
Call Number: HF 91.U47 |
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Monthly Bulletin of Statistics. New York: United Nations, Statistical Division. |
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Holdings: 1947- |
Location: Gen. |
Call Number: HA 1.U6 |
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National Accounts Statistics: Main Aggregates and Detailed Tables. New York: United Nations, Statistical Office. |
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Holdings: 1982- |
Location: Last v. RR, Gen. |
Call Number: HC 79.I5N3 |
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Statistical Yearbook/Annuaire Statistique. New York: United Nations, Statistical Division. |
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Holdings: 1948- |
Location: RRExp, Gen., Law, Harper, Crerar 41st ed.), RR2 |
Call Number: HA 1.U596 |
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Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific. Bangkok, Thailand: United Nations, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. |
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Holdings: 1973-1979, 1981- |
Location: Last v. RR2, Gen. |
Call Number: HA 1661.S791 |
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Statistical Yearbook for Latin America and the Caribbean. Santiago, Chile: United Nations, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. |
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Holdings: 1985- |
Location: Last v. RR, Gen. |
Call Number: HC 161.A331 |
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Statistical Yearbook/Annuaire Statistique/Anuario Estadístico. Paris: UNESCO. |
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Holdings: 1963- |
Location: Last v. RRExp, Gen., RR2, RR4, Law, Harper |
Call Number: AS 4.U8A199 |
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Year-Book of Labour Statistics. Geneva: United Nations, International Labour Office. |
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Holdings: 1935- |
Location: Last v. RR, Gen. |
Call Number: HD 4826.I6 |
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World Health Statistics Annual/Annuaire de Statistiques Sanitaires Mondiales. Geneva: World Health Organization. |
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Holdings: 1939- |
Location: Crerar |
Call Number: RA 651.A1W87 |
Introduction | UN Classification System | Major Electronic Resources | Major Print Resources | Other Sources of UN Information
The official index to United Nations documents has undergone multiple title changes. The titles below are listed in reverse chronological order. Please use the electronic resource AccessUN to locate current UN documents.
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UNDOC: Current Index. New York: United Nations, Dag Hammarskjöld Library. |
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Holdings: 1979-1983, 1992-1996 (print); 1984, 1986-1991, 1993, 1995-1996 (microfc) |
Location: RR |
Call Number: Z 6481.A153 |
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UNDEX. Series A: Subject Index. New York: United Nations. |
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Holdings: 1970-1978 |
Location: RR |
Call Number: Z 6481.A15 |
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UNDEX. Series B: Country Index. New York: United Nations. |
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Holdings: 1970-1978 |
Location: RR |
Call Number: Z 6481.A151 |
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UNDEX. Series C: Cumulative Edition, 1974-1978. White Plains, NY: Unifo Publications, 1980. |
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Location: RR, Law |
Call Number: Z 6481.U55 (RR), JX 1977.A1U424 1979 (Law) |
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United Nations Documents Index. New York: United Nations, Dag Hammarskjöld Library. |
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Holdings: 1950-1973 |
Location: RR |
Call Number: Z 6481.A19 |
Introduction | UN Classification System | Major Electronic Resources | Major Print Resources | Other Sources of UN Information
V. Other Print and Electronic Sources of United Nations Information
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Keesing's Record of World Events. London: Keesing's Publications. [Continues Keesing's Contemporary Archives]. |
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Holdings: 1931- |
Location: Last 5 years RR, Gen. |
Call Number: AP 2.K43 |
LEXIS-NEXIS Academic Universe -- From LEXIS-NEXIS, this database includes the full text for 5,000 general, business, and legal news in a version tailored for use by universities and colleges. The publications in this database offer news, financial, medical, and legal information. News sources are updated daily and wire services several times a day. Publications contained in this resource include Wall Street Journal and Wall Street Journal Europe, International Herald Tribune, The Times of London, Le Monde, Der Spiegel, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. Access restricted to University of Chicago faculty, students and staff.
Historical Newspapers Online -- From Chadwyck-Healy, this resource indexes older years of the New York Times and The Times [of London]. Includes Historical Index to the New York Times, 1863-1905 and 1913-1923 (1851-1862 and 1906-1912 due in April 2000), The Official Index to The Times, 1906-1980, and Palmer's Index to the Times, 1790-1905. Access restricted to University of Chicago faculty, students and staff.
PAIS International --Produced by the Public Affairs Information Service, PAIS contains records for articles, books, conference proceedings, government documents, book chapters, and statistical directories. Subjects include agriculture, banking, business, demographics, education, environment, finance, government, health, international relations, law and legislation, political science, public administration, social sciences, statistics. Corresponds to the print publications PAIS Bulletin (Z7163.P9 RR, 1985-1990), PAIS Foreign Language Index (Z7164.E2P97 RR, 1985-1990), and PAIS International in Print (Z7163.P92 RR, 1991-). Covers 1972 to the present with abstracts since 1985. Access restricted to University of Chicago faculty, students and staff.
ProQuest Direct -- Offered by Bell and Howell Information and Learning, this large general periodical database includes coverage of over 150 major U.S. and international newspapers such as The New York Times and The Times [of London], plus hundreds of other news sources and news wires. Access restricted to University of Chicago faculty, students and staff.
World News Connection -- A service of the U.S. government's National Technical Information Service (NTIS), this is compilation of translated and English language news from non-U.S. sources that includes full text summaries of newspaper articles, conference proceedings, radio and television broadcasts, periodicals and non-classified technical reports. Access restricted to University of Chicago faculty, students and staff.
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