The CIA library can help students, teachers, academics, and researchers interested in history, geography, political science, and international affairs.

1. CIA Library Online
Matthew Kohn
LIS 702-Module 4 Assessment

2. CIA’s Vision & Mission
• Vision: The CIA is a US Government Agency whose “information, insights,
and actions consistently provide tactical and strategic advantage for the
United States (https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/cia-vision-mission-values, 2019).
• Mission: “Preempt threats and further US national security objectives by
collecting intelligence that matters, producing objective all-source analysis,
conducting effective covert action as directed by the President, and
safeguarding the secrets that help keep our Nation safe” (cia.gov, 2019).

3. Access by typing www.CIA.gov/Library in any browser.

4. What Questions Does CIA Library Answer?
• What’s the capitol of Canada?
• What’s Canada’s biggest import?
• Can I get an accurate map of Canada?
• Did Canada work with the US in the
Cold War?
• How does Canada recognize Taiwan?

5. CIA Library has Numerous Resources
Information from:
• Maps of every country
• World Factbook
• General Inquiry Answers
• In-depth Information from Articles
• E.g. International Policies/Securities

6. “
”
http://cia.gov/library, 2019

7. Intended Audience
• Students
• From Advanced Eighth Graders to College
• Teachers & Professors
• Government Workers in other Departments
• Librarians
• Travelers
• History Buffs
• Consultants
Image from Pixabay by Andrew Tan

8. CIA Library
• The CIA Library is a free public service to provide
information and to connect with the public.
• Public Relations effort

9. How Can CIA Library Help?
Specific areas
• In depth information
• Selected topics
• Animals and CIA, Space Race, Tet Offensive Declassified ,
and Presidential Summaries
• Geography, World Economy, History, International Issues,
and More!
• Maps of Every Country
• Articles on Intelligence, History, and CIA International
Relations
• Videos- Examples include the Soviet program, CIA overview,
ads, headquarters tour
• Freedom of Information Reading Room(Declassified
Documents)

10. Accessibility
Best used by the following:
• Advanced Secondary Students and great for
ESL students or those who speak:
Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, and others
• It is best served by those who are comfortable
with the internet….it’s a great source because
there are no subscriptions necessary
• Easy to use on all kinds of devices
Computers, Tablets, and Smart Phones
Image by William Iven from Pixabay

11. How to Best Access the Site
• Tabs (Library Accessible Drop
Downs, Reports, Intelligence, and
Literature)
• Use of Videos (Ask for Help
Option with Google or In Person)
• Search Box

12. What is the Source’s Currency?
• Updated October 2019
• Authority: It is a well known organization and publisher
• Users should bare in mind that the CIA has a reputation for secrecy due to its
mission

13. Accuracy: Credible Sources/Trust
• Information comes from CIA Professionals and Professional Researchers
• Credible Sources – CIA needs accurate information for its own work so its
information is verified.
• Double checked - widely used by reporters, scholars, etc. so errors would
come to light

14. What Kind of Content does it Contain?
• Facts on Geography, World Economy, History,
International Issues and more
• Maps of every country
• Articles on Intelligence, History, CIA, and International
Relations
• Videos are included that have very specific audiences in
interesting and kind of novel things such as the Soviet
space program, CIA overview, ads, headquarters
• Freedom of Information Reading Room has in depth
reports, Animals and CIA, Space program competition,
declassified information on the Tet offensive, and
President’s summary

15. How is this Resource Used/Implemented?
What does the site contain?
• Fast Facts
• Maps of every country
• Academic research (primary,
secondary)
Sample Questions
• Who are the leaders of Oman? Who are the leaders in
Thailand? What is the history of intelligence in the US?
Which women in the CIA are important? How was science
used in the Cold War?
• What message did Kennedy and Khrushchev exchange?
• What documents could be classified?
• How to search/step by step….explain the home page
• And many more…..

16. How to Search
• To find an article on the anniversary of the Berlin Wall,
• Type keyword in Search Box

17. Search Results
1. Review the results list
2. Click blue link for desired articles

18. Issue of Accessibility
• Reading level: Advanced
• Languages include: Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and
Turkish
• Social media sharing
• Standard navigation: search box, tabs, menus, are easy to find and use
Many World Languages

19. Accessibility: Further Consideration
• Users who are blind would need special software or assistance to use
CIA Library.
• Users who speak less common languages would need translation
assistance

20. Summary of the Basics of the Site
• Standard Arrangement/Layout : Sidebar, Footer
• Like most commonly used websites
• Basic browsing skills needed
• No advanced search option, only basic search
• Turn on video - easy to see menu with good explanations, nothing special
• Authority
• CIA is well known since 1947
• Accuracy because the CIA such a huge organization in the spotlight reporters and
other countries would point out of effort

21. For More Help
• Contact Matt Kohn at the Reference desk by email or phone (847-234-6890)
mkohn1@my.dom.edu if you have any questions or concerns about using
this site.

22. Bibliography
• CIA. (2019). CIA Library Retrieved from https://cia.gov/library.
• Ivan, W. and Tan, A. (2019). Images. Retrieved from
http://www.pixabay.com.