PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New HeinOnline Database: Organization of American States (OAS)
A Digital Archive of the Oldest Regional Organization in the World
September 9, 2025
September 2025.HeinOnline, a product of William S. Hein & Co., Inc., is pleased to announce the release of Organization of American States (OAS). This new database consists of over 1.5 million pages of 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.
For more information and frequently asked questions, visit https://home.heinonline.org/content/organization-of-american-states/.
About the Database
The Organization of American States (OAS) database is the first and only digital gateway to the institutional output of the Western Hemisphere’s oldest regional organization. Spanning more than 1.5 million pages, 1,200+ titles, and nearly 3,600 volumes, this collection brings together foundational charters, security treaties, diplomatic proceedings, and historical records that were previously accessible only through in-person visits or special requests.
At launch, the database is nearly complete, with approximately 190,000 pages still being digitized. These will be added in HeinOnline’s monthly content releases, with full completion expected by March 2026.
Key Features of the Database
- Classification System: Access OAS publications organized by the official Classification Manual for OAS Official Records (est. 1977), with enriched metadata for seamless searching and filtering by series title, letter, classification, document title, author, or date—preserving the original bibliographic structure within HeinOnline’s intuitive platform.
- Historical Publications: 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.
- Editor’s Picks: Throughout the database, select titles are marked with a star icon. These are part of our Editor’s Picks, documents hand-selected by Rocio Suarez, Library and Archives Specialist at the Columbus Memorial Library, Organization of American States. These picks represent some of the most informative and valuable documents of the OAS, as well as the most consulted, and span hundreds of thousands of pages.
- Scholarly Integration: Dive into a curated collection of scholarly articles on the OAS, inter-American system, and Pan American Union, hand-selected by HeinOnline editors. Easily sort by title, author, most-cited, or year—or search by author or article title—to access expert analysis, with new content added regularly to support ongoing research.
- Supplemental Resources: A curated bibliography of authoritative books extends research beyond HeinOnline. Entries are sortable by title or author, with each linking directly to its WorldCat record to assist researchers in locating physical copies at nearby libraries. New titles are added regularly to support continued discovery.
About the Organization of American States (OAS)
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.
Pricing
A subscription to the Organization of American States (OAS) includes digital access to the HeinOnline database.
Access options include a cost-effective annual subscription with reduced renewal rates, or a one-time perpetual access license.
Special Offer: Current subscribers to HeinOnline’s United Nations Law Collection are eligible for a one-time 10% discount on any pricing option.
About HeinOnline and William S. Hein & Co., Inc.
HeinOnline is a product of William S. Hein & Co., Inc., a leading publishing company that has been serving the law library community for 100 years. HeinOnline is a premier online research database that provides comprehensive coverage from inception of more than 3,400 multidisciplinary periodicals, essential government documents, international treaties and trials, case law, and much more. Composed of image-based PDFs and available at an affordable price, the wealth of material allows academic institutions, government agencies, law firms, court systems, corporations, and other organizations access to authoritative, true-to-print digital material without the hassle or cost of using multiple research databases. Furthermore, subscriptions to HeinOnline consistently increase in value without added cost as HeinOnline adds daily, weekly, and monthly content while continuously incorporating new artificial intelligence tools for easier research. More information about HeinOnline and William S. Hein & Co., Inc. is available here: home.heinonline.org.
Contact Information
Benjamin N. Boron
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
William S. Hein & Co., Inc.
Getzville, NY 14068
(716) 882-2600
bboron@wshein.com