General Collections | Special Collections | Embassy Libraries | Association Libraries |Other Non-Library Information Sources
The Washington area is rich in libraries and information sources. Following is a selective list of libraries in the area that are of particular interest to students of international relations. While the emphasis is on libraries open to SAIS students, access restrictions will vary from library to library. The following symbols have been used to indicate each library's policy with regard to borrowing library materials: * Materials may be borrowed through interlibrary loan. Interlibrary loans must be arranged by SAIS Library. Ask for help at the reference desk.
** Materials may be borrowed directly from the library by SAIS students.
*** Materials may be used within the library only.
Before visiting the libraries on this page, be sure to check their website(s) or phone ahead . Also, feel free to ask at the SAIS Library Reference Desk for details on policies of the various libraries. The holdings of many of the libraries in this guide are included, in part or in full, in a database called WorldCat. When you find a title of interest in WorldCat, you have the option of viewing the names of area libraries that own it. GENERAL COLLECTIONS THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS *
10 First St. SE (Jefferson Building, site of Main Reading Room)
101 Independence Ave. SE (Madison Building, site of Reader Registration office)
202-707-5000 One of the world's largest libraries, the Library of Congress is open to anyone above high school age. The Library of Congress is intended to be used to supplement research begun at other libraries, so if you are thinking of going, please speak to someone on the SAIS Library reference staff first. If it appears that a trip to the Library of Congress would be useful, the SAIS Library reference staff can advise you as to which of the Library's three buildings you should go to first. The Library of Congress website includes detailed information for researchers, including where and how to apply for a Readers Identification card, which you will need to obtain when you first use the Library. First-time users are also encouraged to ask for help at the Information Desks on the ground floor of the Jefferson Building or in the lobby of the Madison Building. Formal research orientation classes are offered regularly by reference librarians in the Humanities and Social Sciences Division. See the Library of Congress website for more information, including online registration forms, and announcements of more specialized research orientation classes. TOP Some of the specialized divisions of the Library of Congress which are likely to be of interest to SAIS students are: AFRICAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN DIVISION (202-707-7937)
Includes the African Section, Hebraic Section, and Near East Section. ASIAN DIVISION (202-707-5420)
Includes the Chinese and Korean Section, Japanese Section, and Southern Asia Section. EUROPEAN DIVISION (202-707-5413)
Includes Russian Studies as well as materials dealing with Eastern and Western Europe. HISPANIC DIVISION (202-707-5397)
This division is primarily concerned with Latin America. LAW LIBRARY (202-707-5079)
Contains a comprehensive collection of foreign, international and comparative law. MICROFORM READING ROOM SECTION (202-707-5471)
Included in this collection are FBIS Daily Reports, social and economic plans of developing countries, all U.S. doctoral dissertations which have been microfilmed, and much more. SERIAL AND GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS DIVISION (202-707-5690)
This division includes the Newspaper Section, the Periodicals Section, and a Government Publications Section which includes documents of international organizations. Also available here are a number of newspaper and periodical databases.
PUBLIC LIBRARY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA **
Martin Luther King Memorial Library
901 G Street, N.W.
Telephone reference and book information: 202-727-0321 The Martin Luther King Library has a sizable collection, arranged in subject divisions. A public library card is free and easily obtained at the main library or any one of the many branches located around the city. When you go, just take some evidence that you live, work, or go to school in the District of Columbia. For information on other area public libraries, ask at the SAIS Library reference desk. TOP UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES All the main libraries of the area's universities are open to SAIS students, although access may be restricted during exam periods. Hours vary during vacation and exam periods, so be sure to call ahead, or check the website of the library you plan to visit. The SAIS Library can borrow materials from any area university library via interlibrary loan, although direct pickup is not an option. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY *
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
202-885-3200 (hours)
202-885-3238 (reference) CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY - MULLEN LIBRARY *
620 Michigan Avenue, N.W.
202-319-5077 (hours)
202-319-5070 (reference) GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY GELMAN LIBRARY *
2130 H Street, N.W.
202-994-6845 (hours) 202-994-6558 (information)
GW's Gelman Library is open only to GW alumni and to students and faculty from universities which are members of the Washington Research Libraries Consortium or the Association of Research Libraries. Be sure to have your picture ID and mention Johns Hopkins, as JHU is a member of the Association of Research Libraries. The Global Resources Center (GRC), an outgrowth of the Institute for Sino-Soviet Studies, is a special collection within the Gelman Library with a particularly strong collection of Chinese and Russian language materials.
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAUINGER LIBRARY **
37th and O Street, N.W.
202-687-7500 (hours)
202-687-7452 (reference)
Georgetown University Library is a depository library for U.S. government documents. Georgetown will extend limited borrowing privileges to any currently registered university student for a fee of $50 for four months. HOWARD UNIVERSITY - FOUNDERS LIBRARY *
2400 Sixth Street, N.W.
202-806-7252 (hours and information)
Of particular interest within the Founders Library is The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center *** , a special collection on Africa and Afro-Americans. Check their website or call 202-806-4237 for hours. Its holdings are for use within the library only (not available on interlibrary loan). JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY - THE MILTON S. EISENHOWER LIBRARY **
34th and Charles St .
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-516-4835 (Reference)
410-516-8370 (Circulation)
410-516-8360 (Government Publications/Maps/Law Library)
Milton S. Eisenhower Library (MSE) is the main library of Johns Hopkins University, located in Baltimore on the Homewood campus. SAIS students are eligible for the same use and borrowing privileges as any other Hopkins student. You may use your SAIS j-card to borrow books from MSE if you visit the Homewood campus. You may also request MSE books online in JHU Libraries Catalog or in person at the SAIS Library Circulation Desk. If available, the books will be sent to SAIS via courier (Mon - Fri) and held for you to check out directly. Note that the website of the Sheridan Libraries (which includes the Milton S. Eisenhower Library) has a wealth of useful information, guides to doing research, and links to other sites. MSE Library's Government Publications/Maps/Law Library site also provides excellent links to statistical and government information.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - McKELDIN LIBRARY *
University Blvd. and Adelphi Road
College Park, Maryland
301-405-9075 (hours)
301-405-9251 (reference) TOP SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT - DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION CENTER *
Ronald Reagan Building, Mezzanine Level
Washington, D.C. 20523
202-712-4810
This collection consists mainly of documentation generated by A.I.D. Subject areas covered include agricultural and rural development, economic development, technology transfer, energy, etc. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW LIBRARY ***
2223 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
202-939-6000
A short walk up Massachusetts Avenue from SAIS, on Sheridan Circle, this library has a strong collection in the field of international law. BROOKINGS INSTITUTION LIBRARY *
1775 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Access to the Brookings Library is strictly limited to Brookings staff members, but materials may be borrowed through interlibrary loan. CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE LIBRARY *
1779 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Access to the Carnegie Endowment is limited to Carnegie staff members, but materials may be borrowed through interlibrary loan. The CEIP Library's website provides numerous links to online resources of interest to students of international affairs. CENTER FOR DEFENSE INFORMATION *
1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 615
202-332-0600
This is a convenient source for current defense and military information. They have a good collection of military journals and government publications relating to defense. They also have a complete collection of Jane's publications back to the mid-1970s. EUROPEAN UNION, DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION -- PUBLIC INQUIRIES, OFFICE OF PRESS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
2300 M Street, N.W., 7th floor
202-862-9529
Open to graduate students by appointment only. Note that other good sources for European Union documents are: FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION LIBRARY *
6th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Room 630
202-326-2395
The library collection includes a variety of legal, business, and economic subjects. INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK LIBRARY *
1300 New York Ave. N.W.
202-623-3210
The emphasis here is on social and economic development in Latin America. It is necessary to ask permission before using this library, which is primarily for the use of the Inter-American Development Bank staff. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION LIBRARY *
500 E St. S.W. Room 614
202-205-3287
JOINT BANK-FUND LIBRARY *
700 Nineteenth Street, N.W.
This library serves the staff of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Although it is closed to area university students, the SAIS Library is able to borrow books from the Joint Bank-Fund Library through interlibrary loan. TOP LABOR DEPARTMENT LIBRARY *
200 Constitution Ave. N.W.
202-219-6992
The library maintains a collection of over 500,000 volumes on labor and economics, including some foreign documents, and publications of the International Labour Organization. MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE LIBRARY ***
1761 N Street, N.W.
202-785-0183
Call before visiting, as hours vary. Interlibrary loan is not available, but SAIS students and faculty are welcome to use the Library collections on-site. Paid membership in the Middle East Institute includes borrowing privileges. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY *
Main Library:
10301 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, Md.
301-504-5755
D.C. Center Reference Room:
USDA, South Ag. Building,
14th and Independence Ave. SW Room 1052
202-720-3434
The National Agricultural Library seeks to acquire virtually all substantive publications in the field of agriculture. TOP NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION ***
Main Archives:
8th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
202-501-5400
National Archives at College Park (Archives II)
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD
301-713-6800
NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHIVE ***
2130 H St. NW, Suite 701
202-994-7000
The National Security Archive collects unclassified and declassified U.S. government documents relating to national security policy, and is housed at the George Washington University's Gelman Library. You can use their collections on-site, or through the Digital National Security Archive. ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT ***
2001 L St. NW
202-785-6323
The OECD maintains a reading room containing a complete collection of OECD publications. Many OECD publications are also available online to all JHU through SourceOECD. ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES LIBRARY *
Nineteenth Street just above Constitution Avenue, N.W.
202-458-6038
Although open to the public, this library is primarily for the use of the staff and members of the OAS, so reference help is not generally available. The collection includes the documents and publications of the OAS, as well as materials on the history, politics, economics, and legal affairs of the Latin American countries. Stacks are closed. UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION CENTRE LIBRARY *
1775 K Street, NW, 4th floor
202-454-2112
The UN Information Center has all the documents of the main organs of the UN, with some gaps in the collection of pre-1970 documents. This library does not include documents of the various specialized agencies of the UN. However, many of these agencies have offices in Washington with reference copies of their documents. Phone ahead to make an appointment. UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE LIBRARY *
1200 17th St., NW
202-457-1700
Open by appointment. In addition to its print collection of materials on conflict management, the library maintains several noteworthy digital collections, including the Peace Agreements Digital Collection, the Truth Commissions Digital Collection, and the Oral History's Project on Stability Operations. WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE LIBRARY *
10 G St., N.E., Suite 800
202-729-7600
This library covers global resource and environmental issues. Open by appointment only. EMBASSY LIBRARIES Some embassies maintain libraries, but they vary in quality and accessibility. It's a good idea to telephone before you visit one. Embassy addresses and telephone numbers are listed in the phone book, the State Department's Diplomatic List (online and REF JX 1705 .A22), or ask at the Reference Desk. In addition to their libraries, or where libraries are not available, embassy personnel such as public information officers and press attaches are often helpful sources of information. ASSOCIATION LIBRARIES Many of the trade and professional associations located in Washington maintain libraries and publish journals, yearbooks, etc. Check the Encyclopedia of Associations for more information. OTHER NON-LIBRARY INFORMATION RESOURCES If you're prepared to be patient, persistent, and use a little ingenuity, you may often find you can track down an elusive document or piece of information by contacting an individual or an organization that deals directly with the subject you're researching. As mentioned above, embassy personnel are a possible source. People working for both government agencies and private organizations can also be generous with their time and may even have free publications (articles, bibliographies, etc.) they are willing to send you. Following are a few sources that will help to give you some ideas. Carroll's Federal Directory: Executive, Legislative, Judicial (REF JK 6 .F42)
This is a directory of employees of the federal departments and agencies as well as congressional offices. Updates are issued every other month. United States Government Manual (REF JK 421 .A3)
This annual publication, the official handbook of the U.S. government, describes the various government agencies, commissions, committees, etc., and their activities. Washington Directory (REF F 192.3 .W28)
A comprehensive directory of the key institutions and leaders of the national capital area. Congressional Quarterly's Washington Information Directory (REF F 192.3 .C65)
This is a directory of governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations in the D.C. area, arranged by subject and including names of key people to contact. TOP
| 
