In 2023, the United Nations Headquarters Library marked a year of significant transformation and notable achievements. Central to these was the implementation of a new digital workflow system, developed in-house to meet the specific needs of UN Secretariat librarians. This system facilitates the seamless creation of metadata and the uploading of content to the UN Digital Library. By allowing for more accurate and insightful data analysis, the system marks a significant improvement over the outdated information management system, now retired, that had been in use since 1998. The new system does not only enhance the distributed analysis of UN documents and publications but also allows for ongoing customization to address evolving requirements.
On International Mother Language Day, the Library proudly released the publication “Multilingualism at the United Nations”, the second volume in its Why it Matters series. This series highlights essential themes of the UN, providing comprehensive overviews and insightful background information on the Organization’s internal workings and accomplishments. Our latest publication delves into the evolution of multilingualism from a founding principle to a core value of the UN, a priority emphasized by Secretary-General António Guterres. It offers historical insights and direct links to official documents, making it a valuable resource for colleagues, researchers, and anyone interested in the role of languages at the UN. Supported by the UN Coordinator for Multilingualism, this publication is available in the six official languages of the United Nations, as well as in German, on the series website.
From 8 to 10 February 2023, the Dag Hammarskj?ld Library organized and hosted the 3rd United Nations Open Science Conference, themed “Accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals, Democratizing the Record of Science”. The Conference, held both online and in person at the UN Headquarters in New York, brought together over 6,000 participants, including researchers, policymakers, librarians, and representatives of intergovernmental organizations. It focused on the opportunities and challenges of practicing Open Science, particularly in the context of global crises that have highlighted the need for evidence-based policymaking and access to credible information. The Conference emphasized the importance of connecting science, policymaking, and society through strategies that foster partnerships and actionable knowledge for sustainable development. The outcome document, which outlines the key ideas and recommendations from the Conference, is available online, along with and presentations. These resources aim to advance the practice of Open Science for the global public good.
Throughout the year, the operational work of the UN Dag Hammarskj?ld Library continued without interruption. We recorded a minimal decrease in online traffic to our website and information resources such as the UN FAQ database , , and Member States on the Record that was primarily due to a strategic reduction in the number of UN Research Guides and FAQs in order to ensure their curation remains sustainable over time. However, the continued to record an increase in downloads reaching 27.5 million downloads of UN documents and publications from 12,000 locations worldwide. If automated transactions were included, the total downloads would exceed 61 million. Additionally, our linked data service, , incorporating the CEB-approved SDGs taxonomy, was viewed over 13 million times.
Looking to the future, the UN Headquarters Library evaluated its Strategic Outlook 2020-2025. Following extensive consultations within the Library and the Department of Global Communications, additional feedback from the UN Office of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of General Assembly and Conference Management, as well as inputs from the wider community, the Library released the revised . This updated strategy addresses the need for the creation of a new, global Research Commons for the United Nations.
Despite the challenges posed by the Organization’s financial liquidity crisis, particularly in terms of recruiting new staff and continuing to fund essential electronic resources, the Library remains optimistic and committed to innovation, driven largely by the creativity and resourcefulness of UN librarians. Committed to technological advancement, multilingual outreach, Open Science, open access, and strategic planning, we remain focused on producing and disseminating facts about the United Nations and its deliberations. In an era where reliable information is crucial, the Library ensures that the UN’s knowledge base remains accessible and relevant to a global audience.
