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I was invited to attend the Workshop for Overseas Korean Studies
Librarians from 30 October to 5 November 2006, which was organised by
the National Library of Korea and held at its Librarian Training
Center. The National Library of Korea supported all expenses within
Korea including hotels, program expenses, venues, and meals. I only had
to pay my airfare to and from Korea. Nineteen participants from
Australia, German, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Netherlands, Philippines,
Taiwan, Vietnam, and United States attended the workshop.
The Program of the Workshop was as follows:
Registration and Orientation
We were welcomed by the Chief Executive of the National Library of Korea. The workshop covered the following topics and visit: Resources on Korean Studies 한국학 관련 정보원 개관 by Soo-Sang Lee, Assistant Professor of Pusan National University.
Most delegates joined the tour of the National Library of Korea. Searching Tips on Major Resources and Practical Training 주요 정보원 탐색 및 활용 by Yong-Wan Cho, Lecturer, Pusan National University Following up on the morning session about Resources on Korean Studies, Mr Cho gave us a hands-on session to practice and find information on Korean Studies Web site. Collection and Preservation in the National Library of Korea 고문헌 관리 및 자료조직 by Hye-Eun Lee, Classics Specialist, Old and Rare Collection Division, the National Library of Korea During this long morning session, Ms Lee gave us cataloguing tips for Korean rare books as well as general information on Korean old books, old book collection in the National Library of Korea, preservation and restoration of old books, converting methods such as microfilming or digitizing materials, and the preserving facilities in the National Library of Korea. Introducing to the Status of Databases in the National Library of Korea 국립중앙도서관 DB현황 및 이용법 by Youngmi Hong, the National Library of Korea
Participants were divided in two groups to join with librarians of the National Library of Korea and discuss various issues raised in the session. Each group presented some cases of overseas Korean collection. In my group, three presenters from German, Taiwan, and United States briefly talked about their Korean collections. Overseas Korean studies librarians asked the process of opening the full-text databases of the National Library of Korea from outside Korea. More detailed and revised version of proceeding "process of using the full-text databases of the National Library of Korea from overseas" was given at the session. The process is: We had a brief tour to Changsogak (Jangseogak Library). It houses palace documents; royal manuscripts; documents belonging to the various offices of the court, office diaries, etc; records of personal data of officials; maps, paintings of palaces and royal tomb sits; novels handwritten in the palace style Hangul script. They also explained on exhibition materials in display cabinets, cataloguing of old materials, preservation etc. Then we moved to the Korean Studies Information Center to attend a session of "Case study on digitalizing of the national classical music materials" by Prof. Young Woon Kim, Dean, The Graduate School of Korean Studies. He explained about the Korean traditional music database followed by information on the Academy of Korean Studies. Korea University Library3 고려대학교 도서관 We watched a virtual library tour and had a session on digital contents of e-resources which can search Web database, theses, rare books, rare serials, diplomatic documents, e-journals, e-book, VOD, books, old map, CD-NET. Then we had guided tour of three libraries among seven libraries of the Korea University Libraries. The three were: Centennial Digital Library (CDL) which opened in May 2005 to celebrate Korea University's 100th anniversary. It has wide range of digital contents and programs to help user's research and eduction. Second, the Main Library, which was renovated in 2004, mainly houses the collections on humanities and social sciences subject areas. Third, the Graduate School Library houses the Special Collections of the area of Korea literature and Chinese literature. The National Library for Children and Youth4 국립어린이청소년도서관 Understanding Copyright Law session presented by Prof. Sun-Young Yoon, Hanyang University. She gave us the background and concepts of Korean copyrights including Library Payment System which was adopted since 2003. Tour to the National Library for Children and Youth: its name suggests it is for children and youth but adults also use this library. At that time, the exhibition hall was neat and colourful to attract children. Kungnip Kyongju Pangmulgwan = Kyongju (Gyeongju) National Museum5 국립경주박물관 There was a session of information on Kyongju, the capital of the Silla Kingdom and Unified Silla during 57 BC to 935 by Byung-ha Yoo, Chief Curator of Kungnip Kyongju Pangmulgwan. After the session, we had a guided tour of the Anapchigwan among several exhibition halls as well as the Songdok Taewang Sinjong. The Anapchigwan (Anapji Hall) has exhibition of relics excavated from the Anapji Pond. Kamunsaji, Munmu Taewang nung, Sokkuram, Yangdong Maul, and Oksan Sowon 감은사지, 문무대왕릉, 석굴암, 양동마을, 옥산서원 There was guided tour to the twin three-story stone pagoda at the site of Kamunsa temple which the King Munmu (ruled from 651-681) started to build and was completed by his son King Sinmun (reigned 681-692). The twin three-story stone pagoda, one was covered in veils due to protect/repair but still the other one was open to public. There is only a footstone remaining in the temple site. Then we moved to sea shore to see the little rocky islet which is the Underwater Tomb of King Munmu, who unified the Three Kingdoms to United Silla. To see the sunrise, we moved to the Mt. Toham. There is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sokkuram grotto (stone cave hermitage) located in Mt. Toham. We visited to the Sokkuram. Also we had a guided tour of Yangdong Maul to see traditional and folk village which originate from the Choson dynasty. Famous two houses Kwangajong, Hyangdan were selected to explore building's layout, history. Then moved to Oksan Sowon which was built in 1572 by the Neo-Confucian scholar Yi On-jok's disciples to commemorate for his virtue and leaning. The building comprises a school in front area and a shrine in the back area of the building site. There are several treasures such as Haedong Myongjok, Yi On-jok Supil Kobon etc. Through Yongnakmun, we went to Chongbungak where Kim Pu-sik's Samguk Sagi full set held. I gained more detailed information from some of the sessions and also gained new information in new areas such as Korean music. In addition, I also gained more contacts with Korean Studies librarians in different countries through this workshop. I hope that the Korean Overseas Studies Librarians Workshop will continue to exist for Korean studies librarians to provide accurate information on Korea to foreigners. I deeply appreciate the people of each organization who ran the workshop. I especially thank Mr In-Kwon Hwang and Ms Juok Park, National Library of Korea, for leading us every day during the workshop and Ms Sang Mee Lee for contact us before the workshop. Special thanks to Dr. Kyung Sang Kwon, the director of the National Library of Korea, for making this workshop possible. Thanks also to everyone and each institute involved in the workshop for providing their precious time and showing us great hospitality and providing useful materials and information. 1 www.korean.go.kr (This is a link of our visit to the National Academy of the Korean Language: http://www.korean.go.kr/06_new/notice/recent_view.jsp?idx=43) 2 www.aks.ac.kr 3 library.korea.ac.kr 4 www.nlcy.go.kr 5 gyeongju.museum.go.kr |