United Nations Archives and Records Management Section

In 1945, the United Nations (UN) was founded in San Francisco by 50 nations. There, a small archives unit served to assemble the first records of the organization; this was the first iteration of today’s Archives and Records Management Section (ARMS). Throughout its history, the fortunes of the UN Archives have waxed and waned, while its role has continuously evolved. Trying to carve out a place for itself within the largest international organization in the world, its physical and administrative structures have undergone profound changes, as has its mission, number of staff, the type of records it holds and its users. 

For researchers who cannot come to New York in person, ARMS offers limited digitization, depending on available resources. Typically, this is 3-5 folders or 5 photos. ARMS does not provide copying services using its copy machine or scanner - please bring a digital camera to document the files you wish to consult. You are welcome to take notes and/or photographs of any materials while you are in the Research Room. ARMS is constantly digitizing archival material, based on historical importance and preservation concerns. All declassified, digitized material can be found through the Search Engine. If you need a high-resolution scan of the image or document you wish to use, contact the reference archivist to discuss options. ARMS can provide a small number of scans upon request, or can arrange with you to reserve a desk in the Research Room so that you can make the reproductions yourself. ARMS does not have the resources for large digitization projects that are not already in the departmental work plan, but ARMS is open to discussing partnerships for the planning and funding for these types of initiatives. When ARMS digitizes documents, they are typically scanned at a resolution of 300 ppi and 1-bit depth colour mode and saved as a text-searchable PDF file. Photographs are typically scanned at a resolution of 300 to 600 ppi and a bit-depth of 8-bit for greyscale images and 24-bit for colour images and saved as either JPEG or TIFF. 

Archives over 20 years old are generally open to the public for research, unless the classification level of"Strictly Confidentia" (or related) applies.