Information Resource Center

MISSION
The mission of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library/Information Resource Center, and the Business Information Center is to provide accurate and timely information about the United States, its policies, practices and society to officials of governmental and non-governmental agencies, researchers, academics, business people and all others who need or want such information. The two Information Resource Centers have joined forces to promote development, business growth and trade with Zambia.
The American Center was established in Lusaka to provide a place for exchange of information and ideas and to strengthen Zambian-American cultural and social ties.

REFERENCE AND INFORMATION SERVICES
Trained staff are always available to answer questions and assist patrons in selecting materials. Persons in academic, government, NGOs and business settings in Zambia may contact the American Center by telephone, e-mail IRCLusaka@state.gov, fax or in person for information about the United States, its policies, practices and society. Information requests may range from simple names, addresses and facts to reports, speeches, details of legislation, bibliographies, data compilations, web sites, newspaper and journal articles and U.S. Government documents.

ON-LINE AND CD-ROM RESOURCES
The Library has access to a vast array of automated information resources. The CD-ROM and on-line services provide Library staff a flexible resource base for meeting the needs of their varied clientele.
The major in-house resources are ProQuest, EBSCO Host, Factiva and Lexis-Nexis which provide abstracts and full text articles from more than 1,000 periodicals in the Social Sciences, Business, Humanities, General Science and general interest. The Library has ProQuest the full on-line database which provides coverage of over 1,600 magazines and newspapers, including the New York Times and Washington Post.
The Library has subscriptions to many other on-line and CD-ROM databases and reference tools, including Books In Print, Thomas Register, the Encyclopedia of Associations, GPO Access (for U.S. Government publications) and many other standard reference information resources. Also available are specialized information products such as InfoUSA which is an authoritative source of information on U.S. policies, American society, culture and values, and political process.
Searches are conducted through the Internet on resources such as the U.S. Library of Congress' Thomas system and web sites of the U.S. and international agencies and associations and information resources such as the U.S.-based Foundation Center.

ELECTRONIC JOURNALS
The Library also receives Electronic Journals from the Department of State Bureau of Information. These journals are published every month (though they may delay) and cover topics dealing with economic issues, democratic governance, and U.S. society and values. Copies of current issues are available in the Library.

PRINT COLLECTION
While the library emphasizes the use of electronic information sources, a small collection of print materials has been maintained. The library also maintains several dozen periodical subscriptions, along with the New York Times and the Washington Post Sunday editions and the daily International Herald Tribune. The collection emphasizes information on U.S. history, government, foreign policy, journalism, business and economics. General reference books and U.S. government directories are also available for use by walk-in patrons.

CURRENT AWARENESS AND DOCUMENT DELIVERY SERVICES
The IRC provides current awareness services through Article Alerts and Advance Electronic Documents (ADSURLS). Delivery of copies of articles and other information on demand is a valuable service that the Library is able to offer since it has access to print, CD-ROM, and on-line resources. Patrons who have access to e-mail facility are encouraged to receive documents electronically. Documents may also be transmitted via fax. Photocopies may also be supplied by mail or courier, or made available for pick-up at the Center.

LENDING SERVICES
Two books may be borrowed for two weeks. Books may be renewed for an additional two weeks provided another person has not requested them. Books and materials currently on loan may be reserved at the loans desk. A notice will be sent to members making such requests as soon as the material is available.
Photocopies of specific articles from reference materials and periodicals can be supplied, within reasonable limits.

FILM COLLECTION WITH PORTABLE DVD PLAYERS
The movie archive has a rich collection of mainstream Hollywood movies and award-winning feature films, including educational documentaries that depict U.S. history and culture.  They are available on both DVD/VHS.  The Library no longer loans films to patrons for home use but facilitates utilization of this valuable resource by providing portable DVD players to individual patrons to watch during library hours.  There are rules and regulations that govern the use of this equipment, for more details please consult library staff.

MEMBERSHIP
Anyone over 18 years of age affiliated with business, media, education, government agency or non-governmental organization may apply for membership. Applicants will also be required to submit two ID card-sized pictures and may be asked to produce a supporting letter from their organization/institution to accompany their application. Applicants must comply with library regulations. Members are entitled to enter the Library at any time during hours of operation and to check out materials in accordance with the Library rules.

USE BY NON-MEMBERS
Anyone who is not a member of the Library but wishes to use Library resources to conduct research about the United States should contact a Library staff member in person or by phone to explain the research project and to schedule an appointment of up to two hours to use the Library. Materials may not be checked out. Projects requiring more than two hours may be approved upon review by the Head Librarian.

STUDENT ADVISORY SERVICES
The American Center makes available an extensive reference library, a U.S. university video library and collections of testing bulletins such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT), the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), and the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). Handouts on higher education programs in the U.S. are also given. The education advising section provides group sessions on Thursdays from 09:00 to 11:00 hours. Individual advising is done on Thursday afternoons. During these sessions, the U.S. system of higher education is explained, and information is presented on how to choose a college and apply for acceptance and financial aid.

LIBRARY HOURS
Day Time
Monday 08:30 - 12:30 hrs
Tuesday 08:30 - 12:30 hrs
Tuesday 13:30 - 16:30 hrs
Wednesday -- Closed --
Thursday -- Closed --
Friday 08:30 - 12:00 hrs