DATABASE
Organization of American States (OAS)
Discover the official documents, reports, and historical records of the world’s oldest regional organization, the Organization of American States. With over a century of material digitized from the Columbus Memorial Library, this database offers unprecedented access to the essential workings of diplomacy, policy, and development in the Western Hemisphere.
Title List: KBART (TXT) | CSV | HTML
1,216
Titles
3,588
Volumes
1,546,295
Pages
Explore the OAS Like Never Before—
Digitally Organized for Meaningful Discovery
Exclusive Access to Archival OAS Publications
For the first time, researchers can access hundreds of official OAS publications, digitized from the holdings of the Columbus Memorial Library, that were previously only available in person or by special request.
Powerful Discovery Tools with Expert-Enhanced Metadata
Navigate complex inter-American records with ease using intuitive browsing by title, author, date, and series classification, complete with enriched metadata from the trusted Classification Manual for OAS Official Records.
The Only Digital Gateway to the Inter-American System
From foundational charters to security treaties and diplomatic proceedings, this is the first and only digital resource to offer comprehensive, structured access to the institutional output of the Americas' oldest regional organization.
HOW IT WORKS
From Archives to Access:
How It All Comes Together
Get the most out of the Organization of American States with tools built for clarity, depth, and discovery. Whether you’re tracing treaty history, exploring the Classification Manual by OAS organ, or diving into scholarly commentary, this collection offers multiple entry points to guide your research journey. Use the tabs below to learn how each feature brings the inter-American system to life digitally, accessibly, and intelligently.
Structured Access through Official Series
Explore OAS publications using the structured classification system developed in the official Classification Manual for OAS Official Records. Since 1977, this publication has provided researchers with a standardized method for organizing and citing OAS documents.
Each title digitized from the Columbus Memorial Library includes custom metadata drawn from the Classification Manual for the OAS Official Records Series, making it easier than ever to locate and understand these materials. Users can search or filter by series title, series letter, and classification, with these metadata points displayed directly in search results.Â
Additionally, documents can be browsed by document title, author, or date, offering multiple pathways to access key content. The manual identifies 26 official series (not all of which contain documents), preserving the original structure and intent of the OAS’s bibliographic system, now fully integrated in HeinOnline’s intuitive platform.
For a more detailed look at the metadata applied and how to search across the various metadata points, check out our comprehensive LibGuide.
Foundational Documents from the OAS and Beyond
Within this collection, users will find publications that provide historical context and scholarly perspectives on the OAS, its predecessor the Pan American Union, and broader issues within the Inter-American system.Â
Discover landmark documents such as:
- Charter of the Organization of American States, as amended by the Protocol of Buenos Aires in 1967
- Annual Report of the Secretary General (1935-2005)
- Bulletin of the Pan American Union (1893-1948)
- Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, Signed at the Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Continental Peace and Security, Rio de Janeiro (1965)
- Are We Good Neighbors: Three Decades of Inter-American Relations, 1930-1960 (1960) by Donald Marquand Dozer
- Organization of American States: Law, Policy, and Governance in the Western Hemisphere (2023)Â by Marshall B. Lloyd
- United States and Inter-American Security, 1889-1960 (1961) by J. Lloyd Mecham
- And many more!
Academic Perspectives to Deepen Your Understanding
Dive deeper into the history, policy, and impact of the Organization of American States with a curated collection of scholarly articles selected by HeinOnline editors. Explore hundreds of works covering the OAS, the Inter-American system, and the Pan American Union.
Easily sort articles by title, author, most-cited, or year, or search by author or article title, to uncover expert commentary and analysis. New articles are added regularly to support ongoing research.
Note: Access to full articles requires a subscription to the appropriate HeinOnline collection(s).
Curated Tools to Expand Your Research Reach
Take your research beyond HeinOnline with a curated bibliography of authoritative books which can be sorted by title or author. Each title links directly to its WorldCat record, helping researchers locate physical copies in nearby libraries. New titles are regularly added.
A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OAS
About the Organization of American States
The Organization of American States (OAS) brings together 34 independent nations across the Americas to promote democracy, peace, security, and development. Established in 1948 and tracing its roots back to 1890, the OAS has been a central player in shaping Inter-American relations.
Its purposes are to strengthen peace and security in the Western hemisphere, promote representative democracy, ensure the peaceful settlement of disputes among members, provide for common action in the event of aggression, and promote economic, social, and cultural development.
This collection was made possible through a long-standing partnership with the OAS and the dedicated work of the Columbus Memorial Library, its institutional memory. Special thanks to Rocio Suarez, Library and Archives Specialist, and Giovanni Facchin, Chief Librarian, for their expert guidance in content selection and classification.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have Questions?
We've Got Answers
What is included in the database?
This collection features nearly 1,000 digitized publications from the Organization of American States (OAS) and its predecessor, the Pan American Union. In addition to core OAS documents (charters, treaties, resolutions, reports, and official publications), it includes a range of historical materials and supplemental works related to the Inter-American system. Researchers will also find curated scholarly articles and a growing bibliography.
Will the content be updated?
Yes, new OAS publications will be checked regularly and added to the collection.
What audience is this database intended for?
The Organization of American States collection is a great resource for academics, researchers, government officials, and legal professionals focusing on Latin America, diplomacy, international law, and inter-American relations.
What are the noteworthy documents?
The most requested documents can be found in:
- Series G: Permanent Council Documents
- Series P: General Assembly Proceedings
- Series L: Inter-American Specialized Organizations
- Series F: Foreign Ministers Meeting Materials
Is this database comprehensive?
While not exhaustive, it includes the most important and heavily used titles. Additional rare materials may remain onsite at the Columbus Memorial Library.
Is this included in a Core HeinOnline Subscription package?
INTERNAL NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS FORTHCOMING….
How much does a subscription cost?
INTERNAL NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS FORTHCOMING….
PRICING INFORMATION
Online Access: $000.00
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