Area Studies

CERES’ mission is to increase understanding and appreciation of the cultures and challenges of the region stretching from Central Europe to the Pacific and from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas. CERES houses the Ion Ratiu library’s holdings on the countries of the region, and throughout the year hosts events designed to increase awareness and knowledge.

CERES Library

Established through a generous gift from the Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation, the library provides a home for students on campus to meet and study between classes or to share lunch with friends. In addition to the resources offered at Lauinger, the CERES Library’s collections include over 2,250 books on the history, politics, economics and cultures of the region as well as language study and reference materials. The Center maintains online subscriptions to over 100 regional newspapers and journals, as well as an array of reports, press clippings and current events databases that canvas the region. The library also provides reserve services for CERES courses during the academic year. The CERES library is located in the CERES Office Suite (ICC 111).

CERES Library Hours:

• Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Lauinger Library

Georgetown’s main Lauinger Library holds materials on Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies (REES), including 30,000 volumes, of which about 15,000 are in the region’s languages. More than 500 periodicals on and from the region in print and electronic format are part of the collection. Lauinger Library subscribes to two main databases that are crucial for research in REES—EastView and the American Bibliography of Slavic and East European Studies (ABSEES)—and over 50 other electronic international affairs and area studies databases. The Media Center holds 300 documentary films, CDs, audiotapes of ethnic and classical music and slides on the region as well as over 400 regional feature films. The library has also compiled lists of Russian, Central Asian, Caucasian and East European music and films. In addition, a searchable database of Russian and East European literature translated into English is available. Both Russian and English titles are listed when possible.

Audio-Visual Collections

CERES’ video collection of feature films and documentaries from and about the region for research, teaching, language practice and personal enrichment purposes is available to borrowers through the New Gelardin Media Center in Lauinger library.