Previous series unregistered
League of Nations Document and Publications.
Function and purpose
This series
in National Archives custody contains the final printed documents and
supporting publications of the UN. The
contents include Agenda, reports, supplements, resolutions passed as well as the
full texts of UN General Assembly and Council Meetings, conference reports,
articles and submissions from specialised agencies within the
organisation.
The Department of External Affairs, presently
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was from 1945, the recording and
controlling agency for all UN related issues except in the case of the
International Court of Justice. The Department has been collecting and
distributing documents and publications issued by the United Nations since
1972. The Departmental Library issued a
weekly checklist of all the UN publications it received.
The series comprises:
United Nations
Document Index, Cumulative Checklist – Part 1 and Part 2, Volume 20 – 1969;
United Nations
Documents Index ‘UNDEX’ Series A (Subject Index) Volume 3:1- 3:4 – 1972-1973;
United Nations
Documents Index ‘UNDEX’ Series B (Country Index) Volume 3:1- 3:4 - 1972-1973
Also
included in this series is a document titled ‘Department of Foreign Affairs
Sample Checklist of Documents and Publications issued by the United Nations and
some of its specialised agencies, received in the Department’s Library July
1972’, as compiled by the then Departmental Librarian. The purpose of this checklist was to provide
Departmental staff with information about incoming UN items for their
reference.
Using the series
As a published series, it appears that the NAA holdings of
this series are incomplete; NAA hold only documents from 1969-1973. Australian
National University Library holds the United Nations Documents Index from 1
(1950) to 24 (1973). National Library of Australia also holds a set of this
publication.
Physical characteristics
The publications are blue and white soft cover with black
type.
Finding aids
Itemised consignment lists exist
for this series. No items have been entered onto RecordSearch
as at 22 August 2002 but are known to the system at box level.
Custodial history
The last transfer for this series into NAA custody occurred
on 8 May 1974.
Disposal history
Temporary consignment A1726/1 was destroyed on 11 January
2008.