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East Asia Library |
The East Asia Library Newsletter is a quarterly publication sent to subscribers by email.
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| In this issue... | May 5, 2009 |
Download the full text of this issue as a PDF.
by Zhijia Shen
In this issue of the EAL newsletter, we would like to share with you stories about our users and librarians, reports of library projects, as well as plans and strategies to tackle the tough budget situation the library and the university face in the economic downturn. In spite of the difficult budget situation, however, our staff continues striving enthusiastically to provide excellent services to our users with reduced resources. Closely working with the leadership of the University Libraries to explore new service models, the East Asia Library has been actively involved in several major library-wide efforts and projects.
As part of the library-wide effort of serials review and cancellation announced by Dean Wilson in her letter of April 13th to the faculty, the East Asia Library is evaluating its current serial subscriptions to meet its quota for serial cancellation. Our area studies librarians have made substantial effort in identifying journal titles that can be cancelled such as those that our library already has electronic version. We will communicate with faculty of China, Japan, and Korea studies in this process. The goal is to cancel subscriptions to meet the need of budget reduction, while ensure the continuation of core collections of journals. More information is available at the University Libraries’s serials and e-resources review web page http://www.lib.washington.edu/CMS/publicserialspage09.html .
In February 2009, EAL completed its external review as part of the East Asia Center's Title VI funding cycle review. Dr. Yuan Zhou, curator of East Asian Library of University of Chicago, conducted a two-day site visit and prepared a review report providing valuable and constructive suggestions for the future development of the East Asia Library. The report has been shared with the Center of East Asian Studies and the Department of Asian Languages and Literature, as well as the Cabinet of the University Libraries. It was also discussed among librarians of the East Asia Library. Some of the suggestions will be further discussed and implemented as resources become available. When explaining the purpose of the review, the Center of East Asian Studies stated, “The East Asia Studies programs and the Center are extremely proud to have such an amazing East Asia library at the UW, and it is important to us that we keep it strong and continue to see it grow. These reviews are one way to continue to do that.”
In celebration of the Centennial of the Jackson School of International Studies, and the 30th anniversary of the normalization of US.-China relations, the East Asia Library is collaborating with faculty of the Jackson School and Department of AL&L, and the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco to implement a series of cultural and scholarly events in the Spring and Fall Quarters. The series of events will include a visit from Consul General Gao to the university to present gift books to the University Libraries, a Chinese film week, an exhibition in Suzzallo Library’s exhibition hall on the history of U.S. – China relations, and a symposium on the past and future 30 years of U.S. – China relations. Time and place for these events together with more details will be announced.
by Zhijia Shen
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One hundred years ago, Reverent Herbert Gowen was appointed professor of and chair of the newly established Department of Oriental Subjects and Institutions at the University of Washington. This marked the beginning of the international studies program, which has become today’s Jackson School of International Studies (JSIS). Simultaneously, efforts toward building a research collection about Asia also began. In the early days, lacking a designated library, collections started to form at the residences of faculty members. Gowen was the first to open his personal library to the faculty and students of this new academic program. Many books from faculty’s private collections were on loan to the department. This situation remained the “library operation” for the oriental subjects until 1937 when the first official purchase of Chinese books was made with a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. This marked the official beginning of the East Asia Library (EAL) collections.
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 JSIS Centennial Exhibit in the EAL: Displays about China, Japan, and Korean Faculty publications in the EAL collections.
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In 1947, Dr. Ruth Krader was hired as the first curator of the library. Over time, many of the private collections of faculty made their ways into the library collections. The 1950s and 60s witnessed rapid growth of the Far Eastern studies program. Impressive grants were received, and much funding went to library resources, as well. Major collections were acquired and librarians were recruited. In 1976, the old Far Eastern Library was renamed East Asia Library and relocated from the basement of Thompson Hall to its current location in Gowen Hall. In 2003, the library acquired significant space in Kane Hall, which more than doubled the shelving capacity of the EAL.
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Over 100 years, the university has developed world-class programs of Asian studies; its library on East Asia has become a premier collection of its kind in North America. Currently, EAL holds about 600,000 print volumes, a large microform collection, and several major electronic databases in the East Asian vernacular scripts.
Parallel to the academic programs of the JSIS in international studies, the EAL has played a national leadership role in East Asian librarianship making outstanding contributions especially in library automation, electronic resources in the CJK vernacular scripts, and area study librarians’ professional training. The EAL serves as an information base for research and teaching about East Asia at the university, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
The JSIS Centennial also celebrates 100 years of unwavering and heroic pursuit of scholars and librarians working together in promoting the understanding between the West and the East and in building a world-class Asian studies program and library. This is a story of people -- dedicated scholars and librarians--who took it to their heart and kept pushing their way forward through their scholarship and professionalism to build the field of international studies and excellent library bolstering the edifice of research and learning.
This exhibition includes a major display window at the front gate of the EAL, where on display are historical photos from the staff files of the East Asia Library, and lists of subject librarians and directors of the EAL and directors of JSIS. In separate six display cases sitting in the Beckmann Reading, our CJK area study librarians designed displays highlighting several valuable collections of the East Asia Library and showcasing some scholarly publications of UW East Asian studies faculty. The exhibition is on display during the Spring and Summer Quarters in the East Asia Library in Gowen Hall.
On the longest study table in the Beckmann Reading Room of the East Asia Library, a scroll of reproduction of the famous Chinese painting, “Qing Ming shang he tu 清明上河图 (Spring festival on the river)” was unrolled from end to end across the table. It was on display in this manner for several weeks during the Spring Quarter. Students sat down to study it, measuring, recording some details, comparing them against their class notes; others came to admire the art, pointing here and there while making comments about this masterpiece, which Wikipedia characterizes as “China’s Mona Lisa” for its widespread fame.
 Students from Professor Wang Haicheng’s class examine “Qingming Festival on the River.”
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In the Spring Quarter the East Asia Library’s George M. Beckmann Reading Room hosted this display in support of a course taught by Prof. Haicheng Wang, “Chinese Art: Buddhist Art and Painting, 200 AD to 1800. (Art H 309)”
“Qing Ming shang he tu 清明上河图” was painted by ZHANG Zeduan, who lived around 1111-1120 during North Song Dynasty (960-1127). The scroll depicts daily life in the country’s capital city of Bianjing (today’s Kaifeng city) and offers a contemporary view of the bustling activities, clothing, and architecture of its era. The painting is famous because of its geometrically accurate images of boats, bridges, shops, and scenery.
The New York Times explains the history and fame of the Qingming scroll as it has been very popular since the 14th century. This was when forgeries were created and passed as the original because the original was often stolen or lost. Many Emperors found the original after it was lost and ended up in the hands of wealthy families. Before losing the Civil War in China, the Nationalists moved the imperial collection to Taiwan, however, Qingming Shang He Tu stayed on the mainland, separated from the rest. Emperor Pu Yi (the last Emperor) held the scroll and when the Soviet military captured him the scroll was held in northeastern China in a bank. The scroll was later transferred and finally to the Palace Museum in Beijing. Art scholars do agree that the Palace Museum in Beijing owns the original because of the consistency of the style and materials, ink and silk, from the 12th century.
Curious to find what other examples of scrolls are owned by the UW Libraries; I performed a variety of searches to better identify and locate them. Using a variety of tools I found about 120 scrolls in the UW libraries. If you are interested either in this list; or perhaps improving your own search skills please contact East Asia Circulation staff at ealcirc@lib.washington.edu
 EAL librarians greet the delegation of National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan |
On May 1, 2009, as part of the official visit to the University of Washington, the delegation of National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan, led by the NCKU president, Dr. Michael M.C. Lai, visited the East Asia Library. Dean Betsy Wilson of the University Libraries hosted a lunch for the delegation with Jackson School faculty members. Dr. Zhijia Shen, Director of the EAL, Mr. Michael Meng, Chinese Studies Librarian, Ms. Keiko Yokota-Carter, Japanese Studies librarian, and Hyokyoung Yi, Korean Studies Librarian, greeted the delegation at the EAL, and provided them with a tour of the EAL and the Suzzallo Library.
One of the purposes of the NCKU visit was to explore collaboration opportunities in broader areas including social sciences and humanities. The University Libraries has already had a good relationship with NCKU. In December 2008, Dean Wilson and Zhijia Shen visited the NCKU Library. At their meeting with Dr. Wen-Jen Hsieh, Director of NCKU Library, both sides expressed interest in future collaborations in providing high quality library services to users. (ZS)
On March 19th, Mr. Kim Hui-Chul, a consul from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle, visited the East Asia Library to donate to the library books on Tok Island. (HY)
In collaboration with the China Studies Program and faculty and with the support from the Provost’s office, the University of Washington Libraries through its East Asia Library will host a series of events with the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the normalization of U.S.-China relations in the Spring and Fall Quarter of 2009. These events include a visit to UW Libraries from Consul General Gao to present gift books to the library; a Chinese film week; an exhibition co-sponsored by the Chinese Consulate General and the East Asia Library about the development of Sino-American relations; and a symposium on the 30 years of relationship between the United States and China. Flyers about each event will be sent out as each event is approaching. (ZS)
East Asian librarians are actively involved in library instructions. On April 9, 2009, Michael Meng gave a presentation on Chinese electronic resources in the China Colloquium. The PowerPoint of his presentation is available at the UW Libraries Chinese Studies subject page. In the Spring quarter, Hyokyoung Yi has taught a session for the course of Korean 416 about “Korean short stories search skills using Library Catalog and other web tools.” (ZS)
The EAL Circulations staff has completed the clean-up project of Smith 9, where over 180 boxes were opened. Books from these boxes were reviewed by librarians for weeding and inclusion into the collection. The Smith 9 clean-up project has uncovered many rare books of the EAL. They are being cataloged for inclusion into EAL’s rare book collection. (RC)
The Chinese Pre-cat project is progressing slowly but steadily. With the project finishing up the newer materials of the pre-cat backlog, cataloging now moves into the more difficult and older part of the backlog, including some rare materials. More professional level of cataloging is involved in handling these materials. Many recently processed materials are traditional tread-bounded books and older materials “unearthed” from the boxes in Smith 9. (MM)
Serials staff with help from students re-arranged the Gowen newspaper shelves. EAL Serials staff, working with subject librarians, has weeded 24 newspapers, for which EAL has purchased the electronic version. These activities also entailed the discarding of six book trucks of newspapers. Funds and space freed from the cancellation and re-arrangement will go to other areas of the collection and operation. (SEH)
The East Asia Library has recently acquired for its Chinese collection several large sets of primary sources: 1) Zhongguo cang HeishuiCheng Hanwen wenxian (中國藏黑水城漢文文獻), 10 volumes, published by the National Library of China Press in 2008. This is the first-time publication of valuable Chinese manuscripts found in Khara Khoto. 2) reprint series of journals published in the Republican Era--Minguo zhenxi duankan duankan -- Beijing juan and Shanghai juan (民国珍稀短刊断刊. 北京卷; 上海卷), and Minguo huabao huibian. Beijing juan (民国画报汇编. 北京卷). The library online catalog provides records with detailed content notes for each individual journal title in the three series. 3) With the support of the Taiwan Endowment, a 100-volume set of Taiwan wenxian huikan (臺灣文獻匯刊) was purchased from Yale University’s Chinese Collection. Published in 2004, this set is used by scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Straits as a major primary source for Taiwan local history of late Ming and Qing dynasties. Purchasing from the Yale EAL duplicates sale, our library was able to acquire this set for less than 10% of its listed price. (MM)
Thanks to an Allen grant, the EAL purchased for its Chinese collection the microfilm set of the Da Gong Bao (大公報and formerly known as L'Impartial), 1902 – 1949, one of the earliest and most influential newspapers published in China. The 163 reels of microfilm includes the complete run of the Da Gong Bao from its first issue published in Tianjin on June 17, 1902, to the last issue published in the Mainland China on January 15, 1949, before it moved to Hong Kong. Da Gong Bao is one of the earliest and most influential newspapers published in China. East Asia Library currently holds some post-1949 issues in its microfilm collection. This purchase will significantly enhance the Chinese newspaper collection. (MM)
The East Asia Library has received for its Chinese collection two small grants from the Allen Endowment Fund for Collections: 1) $5,000 for covering partial payment of a microfilm set of Da Gong Bao (大公報and formerly known as L'Impartial) from 1902 to 1949; 2) $2,700 one-time funding to cover the cost of the set-up fee for the internet version of the digital Siku Quanshu. These grants play an essential role in bringing these very needed resources to our library users. (MM)
As part of the Window to China program of 2009, the library received from National Library of China 327 books and DVDs for its Chinese collection. The gift items fall in the areas social sciences and humanities. The East Asia Library has an agreement with the Window to China Program to receive a total of 4000 volumes of new publications in the Chinese language between 2006 and 2010. (MM)
Through the arrangement of the Chinese studies librarian, the East Asia Library completed a book exchange with the East Asian Collection of the University of Texas at Austin. The East Asia Library sent about 110 titles to UT-Austin and in return received 94 titles of valuable scholarly works published in Taiwan, including an out-of-print set of QuanTaishi (全臺詩). (MM)
East Asia Librarians Attended the CEAL/AAS Conference in Chicago
March 24-28, 2009, Michael Meng, Keiko Yokota-Carter, Hyokyoung Yi, and Zhijia Shen attended the annual conference of Association for Asian Studies and the annual meetings of Council on East Asian Libraries in Chicago. Our librarians actively involved in committee work and programs playing leadership roles in their respective areas. In addition to attending regular meetings and committee work, they also actively conducted business by meeting with vendors and networking with colleagues exchanging ideas and experiences and exploring opportunities for collaboration. Many also were able to make time to attend some of the AAS panels. It was a productive conference. (ZS)
Joining the other 115 librarians of the University of Washington Libraries, three librarians from East Asia Library attended the Association of College and Research Libraries National Conference in Seattle, March 12-15, 2009. All have learned a lot from attending the conference. (ZS)
Hyokyoung Yi was elected member on the Librarian Personnel Committee. She also co-chairs the committee for a two-year term. This is an important peer review committee of the University Libraries and recommends promotion and tenure cases for librarians in the University Libraries. (HY)
All supervisors at the East Asia Library completed a mandatory 4-day supervisor training session on Strategic Leadership Program. (ZS)
Keiko Yokota-Carter published an article entitled "Creating a world standard materials for library and service; from viewpoint of an American University library : Part 3 Diversity, Equity, Global", in JOHO KANRI, vol. 51, no.11, 2009, Tokyo, Japan. (KYC)
Zhijia Shen published an article entitled “Between Tradition and Modernity: Liang Shuming’s Rural Reconstruction in Zouping” (in Chinese) in Li Guoqing and Shao Dongfang, ed., Collected Essay on Chinese Studies by East Asian Studies Librarians in North America. Guilin (China): Guangxi Normal University Press, 2009. (ZS)
Keiko Yokota-Carter took an Acquisition trip to Japan from March 5th to March 21st, 2009. (KYC)
