How to Use the UN Digital Library

The United Nations Digital Library (UNDL) includes UN documents, voting data, speeches, maps, and flagship publications. The platform provides access to UN-produced materials in digital format and bibliographic records for print UN documents starting in 1979. System features include linked data between related documentation such as resolutions, meeting records and voting, and refining of searches by UN body, agency or type of document. 

Click on Help at the top of the screen for a detailed guide on how to use the UN Digital Library.

The UN Digital Library provides access to UN-produced content including UN documents and publications and information about UN materials in our collections (metadata).

In the UN Digital Library, it is possible to find records with and without digital files, as well as other Library-created metadata such as voting information for resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and Security Council, and citation to speeches made in the principal organs.

The UN Digital Library searches on metadata fields in English. Practices on metadata creation have varied over the years. In general, records have:

• document symbol or call number
• title
• publication date

Many records have more extensive information, such as:

• author
• subjects
• agenda information
• contents note
• action date (for voting and speech records)

More information on the scope of the UN Digital Library can be found in the About/Scope section of the Help text.

Does the Digital Library host digital files?

• Yes, the Digital Library includes both digital files associated with a record, and citation only records without digital files. 

How often is the Digital Library updated?

• Metadata and files are added to the system Monday-Friday. New documents are added as they become available.