Information Resource Center

IRC Services

Our Focus: Our Information Resource Center (IRC) provides current, comprehensive information about the United States, its policies, its social and political processes and related subjects. The resources of the IRC are intended to meet the needs of government officials, journalists, researchers, scholars and professionals interested in the United States.

The IRC provides information and reference services primarily by fax and e-mail, but also by telephone for urgent requests. You can contact us to arrange a visit if you require personal assistance or wish to use our electronic and print resources. Resources are accessible by appointment for specialists with more extensive research needs. We are also open to the general public on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 2:00pm until 4:00pm.

Books, Periodicals & Newspapers: We have a collection of current US newspapers and periodicals, of which recent issues are kept in the IRC. We have a small reference book collection, containing titles which fall within our focus. These items may be read in the IRC, but under normal circumstances, may not be borrowed.

Internet: Access and orientation is available for serious researchers.
Databases: Our subscription to a number of American on-line commercial databases equips us to provide a unique service in Botswana. They provide full text of articles from thousands of American journals and newspapers. We also subscribe to a number of directory databases covering associations, corporations, authors, legal firms and telephone numbers. Profiles of organisations are also provided.

Further Research: In the event that we are not able to provide information from our on-site resources, we are able to call upon the expertise and information infrastructure available to us in the United States. Our home office can provide us with print resources not found in online databases and is also able to make personal contact, if necessary, with government agencies, academic and research institutions, foundations, businesses or non-governmental organizations. This service is available to organizations and professionals in Botswana with serious information needs which fall within our guidelines.

Available through our Office of International Programs Homepage are: Electronic Journals, The Washington File and Africa Specific Information.