April 2006 1

Progress Report of Progress Report of the Asian Division,the Asian Division,Library of CongressLibrary of Congress

Hwa-Wei LeeHwa-Wei Lee

Chief, Asian Division, Library of Chief, Asian Division, Library of CongressCongress

hlee@loc.govhlee@loc.gov

April 2006 2

Asian DivisionAsian Division• The Asian Division, founded in The Asian Division, founded in

1928, is one of four area studies 1928, is one of four area studies divisions under the Directorate of divisions under the Directorate of Collections and Services in the Collections and Services in the Library Services: Library Services: – African and Middle Eastern Division African and Middle Eastern Division – Asian Division Asian Division – European DivisionEuropean Division– Hispanic DivisionHispanic Division

April 2006 3

Reorganization CompletedReorganization Completed

• Two sections:Two sections:– Collection ServicesCollection Services– Scholarly servicesScholarly services

• Five Area Collections:Five Area Collections:– China and MongoliaChina and Mongolia– JapanJapan– Korea (South and North)Korea (South and North)– South AsiaSouth Asia– Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia

April 2006 4

Vision of the Asian DivisionVision of the Asian Division

•To establish the collection of To establish the collection of the Asian Division as the the Asian Division as the premier research and premier research and scholarly resource on Asia, in scholarly resource on Asia, in most Asian languages, that is most Asian languages, that is compatible with the dynamics compatible with the dynamics of knowledge and creativity of of knowledge and creativity of the Asian people.the Asian people.

April 2006 5

Mission of the Asian Mission of the Asian DivisionDivision

•The mission of the Asian Division The mission of the Asian Division is to make comprehensive is to make comprehensive collection resources and collection resources and information services related to information services related to Asia available and useful to the Asia available and useful to the Congress, the American people, Congress, the American people, and the scholarly community and the scholarly community nationally and internationally.nationally and internationally.

April 2006 6

The Size of Asian Collections The Size of Asian Collections (03/31/2006)(03/31/2006)

AreaArea MonograpMonographshs

(volumes)(volumes)

SerialsSerials(Active titles)(Active titles)

SerialsSerials(Inactive (Inactive

titles)titles)

China/China/MongoliaMongolia

985,701985,701 4,2354,235 10,95310,953

JapanJapan 1,151,2671,151,267 5,4215,421 9,4519,451KoreaKorea 249,102249,102 1,1931,193 5,5985,598South AsiaSouth Asia 227,866227,866 1,6161,616 2,1202,120Southeast Southeast AsiaAsia

174,969174,969 2,7362,736 8,4628,462

TotalTotal 2,788,9052,788,905 15,20115,201 36,58436,584

April 2006 7

Asian Collections in Other FormatsAsian Collections in Other Formats

• Legal materials, maps, music, motion pictures, Legal materials, maps, music, motion pictures, prints, and photographs are housed and cared prints, and photographs are housed and cared for by other divisions in the Library in for by other divisions in the Library in collaboration with the Asian Division: collaboration with the Asian Division: – the Law Library the Law Library – the Geography and Map Division the Geography and Map Division – the Prints and Photographs Division the Prints and Photographs Division – the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and

Recorded Sound DivisionRecorded Sound Division– the Performing Arts Division the Performing Arts Division – the Manuscript Division, etc. the Manuscript Division, etc.

April 2006 8

Collections not in Asian Collections not in Asian LanguagesLanguages

• Other Asia-related publications not in Other Asia-related publications not in Asian languages are also housed in: Asian languages are also housed in: – the Main Reading Room the Main Reading Room – the Microform Reading Room the Microform Reading Room – The Newspaper and Current The Newspaper and Current

Periodical Reading Room Periodical Reading Room – The Performing Arts Reading Room The Performing Arts Reading Room – the Science Reading Room the Science Reading Room – some of the other area studies and some of the other area studies and

special collectionsspecial collections

April 2006 9

Building Asian Digital Building Asian Digital ResourcesResources

• In the digital age, the Asian In the digital age, the Asian Division is moving ahead in Division is moving ahead in supplementing its printed supplementing its printed collections by a growing body of collections by a growing body of electronic resources from e-books, electronic resources from e-books, e-journals, e-newspapers, to a wide e-journals, e-newspapers, to a wide range of e-materials, both digitized range of e-materials, both digitized from printed version or born from printed version or born digital. digital.

April 2006 10

Types of Digital ResourcesTypes of Digital Resources

• Subscription of e-bibliographic Subscription of e-bibliographic databases.databases.

• Acquisition of digitized full-text Acquisition of digitized full-text databases.databases.

• Digitization of rare books and other Digitization of rare books and other collections.collections.

• Capture of relevant web sites.Capture of relevant web sites.• Online access and reference services.Online access and reference services.

April 2006 11

Subscribed to E-Bibliographic Subscribed to E-Bibliographic DatabasesDatabases

• At present forty-five of the Library’s 219 subscription At present forty-five of the Library’s 219 subscription databases deal with Asia or Asian studies. Some of databases deal with Asia or Asian studies. Some of these are:these are:– AardvarkAardvark (Asian resources for librarians) (Asian resources for librarians) – Asian Development Bank Economics & Statistics Asian Development Bank Economics & Statistics (Economics (Economics

and Research Department of Asian Development Bank) and Research Department of Asian Development Bank) – Asian Law Bibliographic Database Asian Law Bibliographic Database (University of Melbourne) (University of Melbourne) – Bibliography of Asian Studies Bibliography of Asian Studies (Association for Asian Studies) (Association for Asian Studies) – Country Studies Country Studies (Federal Research Division, the Library of (Federal Research Division, the Library of

Congress)Congress)– Treaties and International Agreements Treaties and International Agreements (Oceana (Oceana

Publications)Publications)

April 2006 12

Acquired Digitized Full-text Acquired Digitized Full-text DatabasesDatabases

• From China and Taiwan: From China and Taiwan: – People’s Daily People’s Daily 人民日報電子版人民日報電子版 - 1946-2004.- 1946-2004.– China Data OnlineChina Data Online..– Chinese Journals Chinese Journals 中國期刊全文數據庫 中國期刊全文數據庫 –– 7,240 titles.7,240 titles.– Chinese Core Newspapers Chinese Core Newspapers 中國重要報紙數據庫 中國重要報紙數據庫 -- 1,000 1,000

titles.titles.– SuperStar Digital Library SuperStar Digital Library 超星電子圖書館 超星電子圖書館 -- 100,000 100,000

titles. titles. – Si Ku Quan Shu Si Ku Quan Shu 四庫全書文渊阁版四庫全書文渊阁版 .. – the Academia Sinica’s the Academia Sinica’s Chinese Civilization in Time & Chinese Civilization in Time &

SpaceSpace 中國文明之時空基礎架構中國文明之時空基礎架構 and and Taiwan History & Taiwan History & Culture in Time & Space Culture in Time & Space 臺灣歷史文化地圖系統臺灣歷史文化地圖系統 ..

– The Encyclopedia of Taiwan The Encyclopedia of Taiwan 台湾百科全書台湾百科全書 ..

April 2006 13

Acquired Digitized Full-text Acquired Digitized Full-text DatabasesDatabases

• From Japan:From Japan:– Directory of Japanese Scientific Directory of Japanese Scientific

Periodicals Periodicals (from National Diet Library, (from National Diet Library, covering 13,875 S/T serial titles).covering 13,875 S/T serial titles).

– Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan (11,000 (11,000 entries, based on the 1993 publication: entries, based on the 1993 publication: Japan: an Illustrated EncyclopediaJapan: an Illustrated Encyclopedia). ).

– Several Japanese rare books have been Several Japanese rare books have been digitized and are available in full text from digitized and are available in full text from the Library’s OPAC. the Library’s OPAC.

– Full-text databases of five major Japanese Full-text databases of five major Japanese newspapers including Mainichi, Sankei, newspapers including Mainichi, Sankei, Chunichi, Tokyo and Yomiuri Newspapers.Chunichi, Tokyo and Yomiuri Newspapers.

April 2006 14

Acquired Digitized Full-text Acquired Digitized Full-text DatabasesDatabases

• From Korea:From Korea:– Chosun Daily Newspaper ArchiveChosun Daily Newspaper Archive (covering (covering

articles from the Chosun Ilbo, the most widely articles from the Chosun Ilbo, the most widely read newspaper in South Korea) read newspaper in South Korea)

– Korean Studies Database Korean Studies Database (by KRPIA, covering (by KRPIA, covering history, literature, and traditional medicines) history, literature, and traditional medicines)

– Korean Studies Information Service System Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS, a database of full-text articles from 6,000 (KISS, a database of full-text articles from 6,000 journals published by 1,200 Korean academic journals published by 1,200 Korean academic institutions)institutions)

– Law n B-Korean Law Database Law n B-Korean Law Database (Law and (Law and business, available for access in the Law Library business, available for access in the Law Library reading room)reading room)

April 2006 15

Digitized Rare Books & Other Digitized Rare Books & Other CollectionsCollections

• The digitized Naxi The digitized Naxi 纳西纳西 collection is now collection is now accessible online: accessible online: http://international.loc.gov/intldl/naxihtml/naxihome.htmlhttp://international.loc.gov/intldl/naxihtml/naxihome.html

• In collaboration with the Academia Sinica, some In collaboration with the Academia Sinica, some 21,000 maps and 840 aerial photos have been 21,000 maps and 840 aerial photos have been digitized and will be incorporated into the digitized and will be incorporated into the historical geographic information system: historical geographic information system: Chinese Chinese Civilizations in Time and SpaceCivilizations in Time and Space 中國文明之時空基礎中國文明之時空基礎架構架構 ..

• In collaboration with the National Central Library In collaboration with the National Central Library in Taiwan a three-year project to digitize the in Taiwan a three-year project to digitize the Chinese rare books in the Library of Congress has Chinese rare books in the Library of Congress has been launched since May 2005.been launched since May 2005.

April 2006 16

Digitized Rare Books & Other Digitized Rare Books & Other CollectionsCollections

• In collaboration with the International Research In collaboration with the International Research Center of Japanese Studies (Nichibunken) in Japan Center of Japanese Studies (Nichibunken) in Japan four rare books in the Nara Ehon collection were four rare books in the Nara Ehon collection were digitized and are accessible online through LC’s digitized and are accessible online through LC’s OPAC.OPAC.

• Also in collaboration with Nichibunken some 3,000 Also in collaboration with Nichibunken some 3,000 prints from the Japanese Ukiyo-e collection were prints from the Japanese Ukiyo-e collection were digitized and will be available online in 2006.digitized and will be available online in 2006.

• The complete set of 207 large-scale maps of Japan The complete set of 207 large-scale maps of Japan made by Inoh Tadatakamade by Inoh Tadataka 伊能忠敬 伊能忠敬 (1816-1819) (1816-1819) were digitized and is now accessible from the were digitized and is now accessible from the Library’s webpage: Library’s webpage: http://http://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmapwww.loc.gov/rr/geogmap//

April 2006 17

Capturing Relevant Web SitesCapturing Relevant Web Sites

• The portals of the Asian Division are The portals of the Asian Division are increasingly a useful web resource on increasingly a useful web resource on all the Asian countries and regions. all the Asian countries and regions. http://www.loc.gov/rr/asian/area_AD.hhttp://www.loc.gov/rr/asian/area_AD.htmltml

• Planning is being made to begin web Planning is being made to begin web harvesting and archiving on special harvesting and archiving on special topics or events of importance. topics or events of importance. Example: the tsunami disaster. Example: the tsunami disaster.

April 2006 18

Providing Online Access and Providing Online Access and ServicesServices

• The Library’s online public access The Library’s online public access catalog.catalog. http://http://catalog.loc.govcatalog.loc.gov

• American Memory.American Memory. http://http://memory.loc.govmemory.loc.gov// • Global Gateway.Global Gateway. http://http://

international.loc.gov/intldl/intldlhome.htmlinternational.loc.gov/intldl/intldlhome.html• The portals of the Asian DivisionThe portals of the Asian Division http://http://

www.loc.gov/rr/asian/area_AD.htmlwww.loc.gov/rr/asian/area_AD.html• QuestionPointQuestionPoint. . http://http://

www.oclc.org/questionpointwww.oclc.org/questionpoint• Asking a Librarian.Asking a Librarian.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ask-asian.htmlhttp://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/ask-asian.html

April 2006 19

The World Digital LibraryThe World Digital Library

• Proposed by Dr. James Billington in June Proposed by Dr. James Billington in June 2005.2005.

• To bring together online rare and unique To bring together online rare and unique cultural materials held by libraries and cultural materials held by libraries and repositories in all parts of the world.repositories in all parts of the world.

• Digitization will be done through public Digitization will be done through public and private collaboration.and private collaboration.

• On November 22, 2005, Google Inc. On November 22, 2005, Google Inc. responded with an initial funding of $3 responded with an initial funding of $3 million.million.

April 2006 20

The World Digital LibraryThe World Digital Library

•The current large-scale The current large-scale digitization projects undertaken digitization projects undertaken by the Asian Division in by the Asian Division in collaboration with major collaboration with major libraries in Asia will be the first libraries in Asia will be the first group of projects which will group of projects which will make up the World Digital make up the World Digital Library.Library.

April 2006 21

Published Report on E-Published Report on E-ResourcesResources

•Dr. Mi Chu Wiens’ article, Dr. Mi Chu Wiens’ article, “World Digital Library and E-“World Digital Library and E-Resources in the Asian Resources in the Asian Division, Library of Congress,” Division, Library of Congress,” published in the February published in the February 2006 issue of the 2006 issue of the Journal of Journal of East Asian LibrariesEast Asian Libraries, No. 138, , No. 138, pp. 1-4.pp. 1-4.

April 2006 22

The Friends Society of Asian The Friends Society of Asian DivisionDivision

• It was established on January 20, 2004 It was established on January 20, 2004 as a mean of outreach to a broader as a mean of outreach to a broader user community.user community.

• We now have more than 200 individual We now have more than 200 individual and corporate members.and corporate members.

• Through the generosity of Florence Through the generosity of Florence Tan Moeson, up to 15 research Tan Moeson, up to 15 research fellowships will be awarded each year. fellowships will be awarded each year.

• For information about the Friends For information about the Friends Society, please visit the website: Society, please visit the website: http://http://www.lcasianfriends.orgwww.lcasianfriends.org. .

April 2006 23

The Florence Tan Moeson Research The Florence Tan Moeson Research FellowshipFellowship

• Established through the Established through the generosity of Florence Tan generosity of Florence Tan Moeson, the Moeson Moeson, the Moeson Fellowship provides Fellowship provides individuals with the individuals with the opportunity to pursue opportunity to pursue research on East, Southeast, research on East, Southeast, or South Asia (including the or South Asia (including the overseas Asian communities), overseas Asian communities), using the unparalleled Asian using the unparalleled Asian collections of the Library of collections of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.Congress in Washington, DC.

April 2006 24

Scholarly Programs Scholarly Programs LaunchedLaunched

• An International Symposium on the Significance of Admiral Zheng He’s Voyages (1405-1433)..

• In the Footsteps of Marco Polo: An In the Footsteps of Marco Polo: An International Symposium on Italy-China International Symposium on Italy-China Cultural ExchangeCultural Exchangein the 13th--17th Centuries.in the 13th--17th Centuries.

• America Is in the Heart for the 21st Century: America Is in the Heart for the 21st Century: The Carlos Bulosan Symposium - The Carlos Bulosan Symposium - In Commemorating the Centennial of the First Wave Migration to Hawaii by Filipino Nationals.

April 2006 25

An International Symposium

On the Significance of Admiral Zheng He’s

Voyages (1405-1433)

In Commemoration of the 600th Anniversary of Zheng He’s First Voyage

Monday, May 16, 2005, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Mumford Room (6th floor) Madison Building

The Library of Congress

April 2006 26

Asian Division, The Library of CongressEmbassy of Italy/Italian Cultural Institute,

Washington D.C.& The Honorable Henry E. Brown, Jr.

PresentIn the Footsteps of Marco Polo:In the Footsteps of Marco Polo:

An International Symposium on Italy-China Cultural ExchangeAn International Symposium on Italy-China Cultural Exchangein the 13th--17th Centuriesin the 13th--17th Centuries

Thursday, March 23, 20068:30am-12:00pmMembers Room

LJ-162, Jefferson Building

Sponsored by:The National Italian American Foundation - Frank J. Guarini Public Policy Forum

Alitalia

April 2006 27

The Asian Division Friends SocietyThe Embassy of The Republic of The Philippines

Our Own VoiceInvite You to Attend

America Is in the HeartAmerica Is in the HeartFor the 21st CenturyFor the 21st Century

The Carlos Bulosan SymposiumThe Carlos Bulosan Symposium In Commemorating the Centennial of the First Wave Migration to

Hawaii by Filipino Nationals

Friday April 28, 20069:15am-5:00pm

Room LJ-119Jefferson Building

SPONSORS: Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc. (PAWA, Inc.) / The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA AFL-CIO) / Carayan Press, San Francisco / Remedios G. Cabacungan

Carlos Bulosan is the literary icon of early Filipino migrant experience in the United States.

April 2006 28

Thank YouThank You