Information Resource Center

The Information Resource Center of the U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg provides information services for government officials, elected representatives, journalists, scientists, and researchers. The IRC provides this audience with the latest and most authoritative information on a wide range of topics related to the United States.

The IRC's services are based on its high-quality resources. The IRC has access to such online databases as Lexis-Nexis, Factiva, Galenet, etc. as well as an up-to-date reference collection.

• Reference Services
• Electronic Outreach
• American Corners
• On-line Databases
• Guide to the Internet Resources on the U.S. Government
• IRC Contact Information
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Reference Services

The Information Resource Center (IRC) can provide the following information:
• A speech or statement by the U.S. President, Secretary of State, or other Cabinet member;
• Information about the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, or Executive branch;
• U.S. legislation and regulations;
• U.S. policy toward Russia, the European Union, or any other region;
• Recent and archived articles from leading American newspapers, journals, and other publications;
• The latest U.S. trade statistics and economic indicators;
• Biographical information about American government, political, cultural, or business leaders.
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Electronic Outreach

The IRC offers a free service for online distribution of electronic publications. You can subscribe to the daily Washington File or the monthly Electronic Journals. To start your subscription, please, fill out online form.
Washington File provides texts of U.S. Government official speeches, press conferences, and policy statements on fast-breaking developments around the globe. The Washington File is published daily in English and Russian.

• Washington File in English (Main Page) http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/products/washfile.html

• Washington File in Russian http://www.usinfo.state.gov/russian/home/products/washfile.html

Electronic Journals present articles of the leading American researchers and practitioners in various fields. The U.S. Department of State publishes Electronic Journals in five subject areas:

• Economic Perspectives
• Global Issues
• Issues of Democracy
• U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda
• U.S. Society and Value.

A new journal on one of these topics appears every month.

• Electronic Journals in English http://www.usinfo.state.gov/journals/journals.htm
• Electronic Journals in Russian http://usinfo.state.gov/pub /ejournalusa/russian.html

Info-Briefs

On a regular bases the Information Resource Center in St.Petersburg publishes an Info-Brief on urgent political topics. A compilation of materials provided by the State Department's Information Programs Office, Info-Briefs offer current and precise information on subjects ranging from Missile Defense to Climate Control and from International Terrorism to Drug Abuse Prevention.
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The American Corners
The American Corners are another valuable source of information. There are eight American Corners in the Consular District. Two are located in St. Petersburg itself, including the first Future Leaders’ American Corner opened in Russia. All eight Corners are located within major regional libraries:

• Arkhangelsk Academic Regional Library
• Kaliningrad Central City Library
• Murmansk State Oblast’ Library
• Novgorod Velikiy Academic Library
• Karelian Republic National Library
• St. Petersburg Central City Public Library named after V. Mayakovskiy
• St. Petersburg Children Central City library
• Vologda Oblast’ Universal Academic Library

Each American Corner offers access to English-language literature, U.S. journals, as well as audio and video resources. We invite you to take part in their English-language discussion clubs, watch movies and documentaries, enjoy American holidays, or contribute to development of your community. Please, explore the American Corners program at http://www.amcorners.ru.
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Online Databases
Lexis-Nexis – access to thousands of worldwide newspapers, magazines, trade journals, industry newsletters, tax and accounting information, financial data, public records, legislative records, data on companies and their executives.

ProQuest Direct - is a database of over 4,000 indexed titles and over 2,000 full text journals with images.

Factiva – full-text information from international publications and newspapers; business and trade information.

Galenet – a one-stop source for news and periodical articles; award-winning biographies; and contact information of international and U.S. associations.

Leadership Directories – directories that list the leaders of the 40,000 major institutions of government, business, professions and the nonprofit sector in the United States.

Stat-USA – current and historic economic and trade statistics from the U.S. Department of Trade.

Encyclopedia Britannica - a major reference source.
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Guide to the Internet Resources of the U.S. Government

• The Department of State
• The White House
• The House of Representatives
• The U.S. Senate
• The U.S. Agency for International Development
• Library of Congress
• The Department of Education
• The Department of Health and Human Services
• The Department of Agriculture
• The Department of Commerce
• The Department of Energy
• The Department of Labor
• The Department of Justice
• The Central Intelligence Agency
• Environmental Protection Agency
• The U.S. Trade Representative
• The U.S. International Trade Commission
• U.S. Census Bureau
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IRC Contact information

Public Affairs Section
American Consulate General
36 Moika Emb. (4th floor)
St. Petersburg, 191186
Tel. (812) 336-7760, fax: (812) 336-7766
e-mail: ircpeter@state.gov