Tag Archive for 'State Dept.'

State Dept.’s State magazine

Published
by
Barbara
on May 14, 2009
in around the world and info.gov
. 0 Comments

State, the U.S. State Dept.’s glossy monthly magazine, is aimed at Dept. employees at home or abroad, but it’s available online to everyone, including prospective employees wanting to know more about the Dept.

There’s a lot of news that’s not interesting to outsiders, like retirements and employee awards, but each issue also highlights a “Post of the Month” accompanied by beautiful full-color photos. For example, the 2009 issues so far have featured posts in
State April 2009 cover

  • Geneva, Switzerland (January, pp.24-30),
  • Adana, Turkey (February, pp.26-31),
  • Santiago, Chile (March, pp.20-25), and
  • Kolonia, Micronesia (April, pp.24-29).

Many issues feature an “Office of the Month” that shines a light on various State Dept. units.

And then among the brief articles are unexpected gems, like “Save the tigers: Bureau helps target illegal wildlife trade” (December 2008, pp.16-17), which both inform and entice (Did you know? Illicit trade in wildlife is valued at $10 billion+ annually and Harrison Ford did PSAs for Conservation International in 2007). Though very brief, these articles can spark one’s curiosity and motivate a search for additional information.

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

Thinking about study abroad?

Published
by
Barbara
on February 20, 2008
in around the library, around the world, campus connection and info.gov
. 1 Comment

World Map Image

If you are looking into study abroad, there are resources in your University Library that can help, providing information about travel, customs and etiquette, social conditions, etc., in other countries.

For example, search the Library Catalog for books.

Let's Go Paris cover

A “keyword” search for (guidebooks or travel) and ___ (fill in the name of a country). Using this search for France would find titles including Frommer’s Paris 2005 (online book), Let’s go: Paris, 2004, Let’s go: France 2001, and Global etiquette guide to Europe: everything you need to know for business and travel success.

Global Etiquette Guide to Europe cover

A “keyword” search for (etiquette or “national characteristics” or customs) and ___ (fill in the name of a country) would find titles including France: A quick guide to customs & etiquette and Au contraire! : figuring out the French.

The Library has a Guide to Locating Intercultural Communication Information that gives additional tips and examples of available titles for finding more information, and a guide to other sources of information on countries.

The U.S. Dept. of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs maintains a Study Abroad Resources web page with links to resources for those who may want to study abroad, including a searchable database of programs offered by institutions all over the country.

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!

DIPNOTE: U.S. Dept. of State Blog

Published
by
Barbara
on October 11, 2007
in around the world and info.gov
. 0 Comments

Interested in foreign affairs? Curious about what diplomatic service is like? Have an opinion on foreign policy issues? This blog’s for you!

U.S. Dept. of State Blog

The U.S. Dept. of State has launched DIPNOTE, a blog intended to provide “an alternative source to mainstream media for U.S. foreign policy information” and an opportunity to discuss foreign policy with State Dept. officials.

Entries go back to late Sept. 2007, and include first-person commentary on postings abroad (India, Lebanon, Saudia Arabia, etc.), interviews (Director of Protection for Diplomatic Security), commentary on the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, and, of course, discussions on relevant issues and events.

For example, a Question of the Week posted Oct. 2 was “How To Convince Nations With Influence Over Burmese Junta To Halt Violence.” More than 60 comments were posted as of Oct. 9. An earlier question about who should have nuclear technology had more than 80 comments. The postings originate from all over the U.S. and other countries.

Finally, DIPNOTE has photos and links to videos and external sites, such as the Council on Foreign Relations and Passport, a blog by the editors of Foreign Policy magazine.

So this is a way to keep up with foreign affairs and weigh in as well. The State Dept. is reading.

Government Printing Office logo

The University Library is a federal depository with many federal, state, local, and international documents on a variety of current and relevant issues available to you in print, microfiche, CD-ROM, and electronically. Come check out your government at the University Library!