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International Y2K Cooperation Center Records, 1998-2000. Finding Aid.

Summary Information
Title: International Y2K Cooperation Center records
Dates: 1998-2000
Creator: International Y2K Cooperation Center
Extent: 10 boxes (9.3 cubic feet)
Language: English, Spanish, Korean, French, and other languages are represented in the collection.
Collection Number: CBI 153
Abstract:
Collection contains the materials of the International Y2K Cooperation Center (IY2KCC), assembled during the year leading up to the year 2000 date conversion (a.k.a. Y2K). Includes country reports, newsclippings, country questionnaires, country telephone directories, background materials on Y2K and IY2KCC, audio visual materials and papers of Bruce W. McConnell, director of IY2KCC.

Repository: University of Minnesota Libraries. Charles Babbage Institute.

Access and Use
Acquisition Information:

The records were donated to the Charles Babbage Institute by the World Information Technology Services Alliance (WISTA), March 2001.

Access Restrictions:

Access to the collection is unrestricted.

Copyright:

The Charles Babbage Institute holds the copyright to all materials in the collection, except for items covered by a prior copyright (such as published materials). Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provisions of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Preferred Citation:

International Y2K Cooperation Center Records (CBI 153), Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.


Arrangement


Historical Note

The year 2000 date conversion (Y2K) was a result of how dates were entered into computers. In the early years of computer programming, disk space was very expensive. To save space, dates were shortened to the last two digits of the year, e.g. 1968 would be entered as 68. It was assumed that the century would fall within the 1900s. At the turn of the new century, this flaw could cause computers to read dates as 1900, instead of 2000, resulting in a variety of computer malfunctions.

The International Y2K Cooperation Center (IY2KCC) was established at the behest of national Y2K coordinators from over 120 countries when they met at the First Global Meeting of National Y2K Coordinators at the United Nations in December 1988. IY2KCC established an office in Washington, D.C. in March 1999. Funding was provided by the World Bank and Bruce W. McConnell was appointed as director.

IY2KCC's mission was to "promote increased strategic cooperation and action among governments, peoples, and the private sector to minimize adverse Y2K effects on the global society and economy." Activities of IY2KCC were conducted in six areas:

  • National Readiness: Promoting Y2K programs worldwide
  • Regional Cooperation: Promoting and supporting coordination within defined geographic areas
  • Sector Cooperation: Promoting and supporting coordination within and across defined economic sectors
  • Continuity and Response Cooperation: Promoting and supporting coordination to ensure essential services and provisions for emergency response
  • Information Cooperation: Promoting and supporting international information sharing and publicity
  • Facilitation and Assistance: Organizing global meetings of Y2K coordinators and to identify resources

IY2KCC closed down in March 2000.

Historical note taken from "Statement of Bruce W. McConnell, Director, International Y2K Cooperation Center, Before the Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem, United States Senate, July 29, 1999."


Collection Scope and Content Note

The collection contains the materials of the International Y2K Cooperation Center (IY2KCC), assembled during the year leading up to the year 2000 date conversion (a.k.a. Y2K). Includes country reports, newsclippings, country questionnaires, country telephone directories, background materials on Y2K and IY2KCC, audio visual materials, conference reports and presentation, sector reports, and papers of Bruce W. McConnell, director of IY2KCC.

There is quite a bit of overlap between the files. Researchers looking for materials to any one country's approach to Y2K would find relevant materials in sector reports; newsclippings; country and regional information; reports, presentation and papers; and audio visual materials.

Subject Terms
Index Terms
  • This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
  • McConnell, Bruce W.
  • International Y2K Cooperation Center
  • Computer security
  • International business enterprises -- Data processing.
  • Year 2000 date conversion (Computer systems)
Box and Folder List
 Location  Title
Box 7
Background on Y2K and IY2KCC. (2 folders )  Box 7
Note Includes reports on Y2K history and references and resources regarding Y2K. Also includes materials on the founding and purpose of IY2KCC, list of steering members, and information on the YES Corps.
Box 10
Y2K Guidelines. (4 folders)  Box 10
Note Includes guides, readiness information, how to's and tool kits. Also includes copy of the book How To 2000 .
Box 1-2
Newsclippings, 7 September 1999-February 2000. (19 folders)  Box 1-2
Note Collected by a clipping service.
Box 5
News and Media. (2 folders )  Box 5
Note Includes newspaper articles, news releases, publications, web sites, and promotional materials.
Box 7
Reports, Presentations and Papers, 1998-1999. (7 folders)  Box 7
Note Includes agendas, meeting reports, conference presentations and statements, as well as publications of meetings and conferences on Y2K.
Box 4
Senate Hearings, Testimonies and other documents, 1999. (2 folders )  Box 4
 
U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem, Investigating the Impact of the Year 2000 Problem, Summary of the Committee's Work in the 105th Congress, 24 February 1999. (1 folder )  Box 4
Box 2
Country Telephone Directories. (4 folders)  Box 2
Box 4
Questionnaires, 1999. (4 folders )  Box 4
Box 2
Country Reports, 1999. (7 folders)  Box 2
Note Materials gathered by countries and submitted to IY2KCC. Includes presentations, pamphlets and papers. Arranged by region and then alphabetically by country.
 
Country and Regional Information, 1999-2000.  
Note Includes meeting minutes, pamphlets, presentations, planning guides and conference reports of specific countries and regions. Arranged by region.
Box 6
Africa. (3 folders)  Box 6
 
Asia. (5 folders )  Box 6
 
Australia and New Zealand. (1 folder)  Box 6
 
Europe. (4 folders )  Box 6
 
Middle East. (1 folder )  Box 6
 
North America. (7 folders )  Box 6
Box 7
South America. (6 folders )  Box 7
Box 3
Country Reports, 8-9 December 1999. (2 folders)  Box 3
Note Test of GSW - Used for training. Filed alphabetically.
 
Sector Reports, 1999.  
Box 4
Energy. (7 folders)  Box 4
Box 4-5
Finance. (3 folders)  Box 4-5
Box 5
Health. (3 folders)  Box 5
 
Telecom. (2 folders)  Box 5
 
Transport. (3 folders)  Box 5
 
Miscellaneous. (1 folder)  Box 5
Box 3
Country Reports - End of Shift, 1999-2000. (2 folders )  Box 3
 
Country Rollover Reports, 1999-2000. (12 folders)  Box 3
Note Reports from UN Millennium Event Tracking System (METS).
Box 4
Glitch Reports, 2000. (1 folder)  Box 4
Box 8
Reports to World Bank by WISTA, 1999. (17 folders)  Box 8
 
Personal Correspondence and Files.  
Box 5
Rosalyn Docktor. (1 folder )  Box 5
 
Bruce McConnell. (2 folders )  Box 5
 
Art Warman. (2 folders)  Box 5
Box 9
Audio Visual.  Box 9
Note Includes DVDs, VHS tapes, and CDs of presentations and materials on Y2K.