FINDING TREATIES
When the United States is a party to a treaty:
1) In hard copy:
The two major treaty indexes, United States Consolidated Treaty Index (KZ235 U58) and A Guide to U.S. Treaties in Force (KZ235 G85), overlap in their coverage. Both are in the 2nd Floor Annex. For treaties before 1950 use the Consolidated Treaty Index. This index will cite you to different sources for each treaty. At least one of the sources should be available here.
The most used sources for treaties are Treaties and Other International Agreements (Bevans), at KZ 236 in the 2nd floor annex and the Hein Microfiche set, accessible by KAV number, at KZ 235.31 H45 on the 3rd floor in the rear of the Reference Area. However, treaties are often available elsewhere (for example in the U.S. Statutes at Large).
2) On line: (see below for other electronic treaty sources)
Use Lexis. Click Area of Law-By Topic-----Click International-----Click Treaties and International Agreements-----Click either Treaties in Force or Treaties on Lexis, depending on what you are searching for. The Treaties on Lexis library (USTRTY) has treaties from 1776-2001. Check the coverage page ("i") first. The Treaties in Force library (USTIF) has treaties in force through January 2000.
When the United States is NOT a party to the treaty:
Use the United Nations Treaty Series (KZ 172 T74) and Index (KZ 172 T741), both on microfiche in the cabinets at the rear of the reference section.
Other Online Sources for Treaties
1) General Sources
ASIL Guide to Electronic Resources
for International Law: Treaties
(comprehensive site for research
and resources)
[This wasn't an original link-its
URL is http://www.asil.org/resource/treaty1.htm]
Avalon Project at the Yale Law School
(world documents from pre-18th
century to the present)
[This also wasn't an original
link-its URL is http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/avalon.htm]
2) Sources by Topic
Multilaterals Project (Fletcher
School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University)
Environmental Treaties and
Resource Indicators (ENTRI)
Human Rights Treaties and
Other Instruments
International Maritime Organization
3) Sources by Country
Australian Treaties Library
Canado-american Treaties
Council of Europe-European
Treaties
Israel Ministry of Foreign
Affairs: Selected Treaties
South African Cyber Treaty
Series
Updated: October 29, 2002