East Asia Library

East Asia Library
Name	East Asia Library

East Asia Library. It serves as a major academic resource center for the study of East Asia, supporting interdisciplinary research across fields such as history, literature, political science, and art history. The library's holdings are integral to the programs of its affiliated university and attract scholars from around the world. Its mission encompasses the acquisition, preservation, and provision of access to a vast array of materials from and about the region.

History

The origins of the library trace back to early 20th-century initiatives by pioneering scholars like Berthold Laufer and Arthur W. Hummel Sr., who amassed foundational collections for Sinology and Japanese studies. Significant growth occurred post-World War II, fueled by increased academic interest and funding from institutions such as the Ford Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education under the Title VI program. The formal establishment of a dedicated facility often coincided with the founding of related academic departments or centers, such as a Center for East Asian Studies. Key milestones include the integration of important private collections, like those of John King Fairbank or George Alexander Kennedy, and expansion following geopolitical events like the normalization of relations with the People's Republic of China.

Collections

Its collections encompass over a million physical and digital items in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other regional languages. The Chinese collection features extensive holdings of Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty rare books, Republican era periodicals, and materials from the People's Republic of China. The Japanese collection is strong in Edo period woodblock prints, Meiji period newspapers, and modern literature. The Korean collection includes historical archives, North Korean publications, and academic journals. Special collections often contain unique artifacts such as oracle bones, Dunhuang manuscripts, and the personal papers of notable figures like Ezra Vogel.

Services and access

The library provides specialized reference assistance from subject librarians fluent in East Asian languages and trained in fields like bibliography and digital humanities. It offers interlibrary loan services through networks like the Center for Research Libraries and the OCLC. Digital services include access to major databases such as the China Academic Journals and the Japan Knowledge portal, alongside digitization projects for fragile materials. While primary access is granted to affiliated university students and faculty, visiting scholar programs and cooperative agreements with institutions like the Association for Asian Studies facilitate broader academic use.

Architecture and facilities

Many such libraries are housed in architecturally distinct buildings, sometimes designed by noted firms like Kallmann McKinnell & Wood. Typical facilities include climate-controlled rare book rooms, reading rooms with specialized furniture for handling traditional bindings, and secure spaces for audio-visual materials. Modern renovations often incorporate advanced HVAC systems for preservation, dedicated areas for GIS and data analysis, and technology-equipped classrooms for instruction on using primary sources from the Library of Congress or the National Diet Library.

Role in research and academia

It functions as a critical hub for producing seminal academic works, supporting research for publications like the Cambridge History of China and doctoral dissertations from departments across the Ivy League. The library hosts academic conferences, lecture series featuring scholars such as Wm. Theodore de Bary, and workshops on paleography or textual criticism. It actively collaborates with consortia like the Council on East Asian Libraries and participates in international digitization initiatives with the National Library of China and the Toyō Bunko.

Notable librarians and directors

Distinguished figures who have led the library include Eugene Wu, a pivotal force in developing Chinese studies collections in North America. James Cheng made significant contributions to bibliographic control and automation. Eleanor H. Y. K. Y. Yeh was instrumental in expanding Korean studies resources. Other notable professionals are Mitsuko N. I. Lee, an expert in Japanese cataloging, and Peter X. Zhou, known for advancing digital archives and collaborations with the Peking University Library.

Category:East Asian studies Category:Academic libraries