NCL boosts ancient Chinese book promotion program

2015/08/07

A cross-strait seminar on the preservation and restoration of ancient books kicked off Aug. 4 at National Central Library in Taipei City, further spotlighting the success of the institution’s global Chinese rare book program.

Over 100 top experts from Taiwan and mainland China participated in the two-way event. These included Fung Ming-chu, director of Taipei-based National Palace Museum, and Han Yongjin, director of Beijing-based National Library of China.

Given that collecting and preserving classical Chinese volumes have been a priority for many libraries around the world over the last 20 years, NCL Director Tseng Shu-hsien said the seminar represents the culmination of such efforts on both sides of the strait. “We look forward to strengthening exchanges on the basis of this mutual interest.”

According to Tseng, these books are a treasure trove of ancient China’s cultural heritage and classical thinking. “The NCL recognizes the immeasurable value of the items and is one of the foremost collectors dedicated to the preservation cause worldwide,” she said.

Established in 1933, NCL boast an in-house catalog of 250,000 such historical publications, including thread-bound editions spanning the Song (960-1279), Yuan (1279–1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

“One of our most prized pieces is ‘The Veritable Records of the Song Emperor Taizong’ from the 13th century,” Tseng said, adding that it is among the oldest official accounts of the Song imperial court in existence.

The library has also been harnessing digital technology to bolster its conservation program. A total of 70 percent of NCL’s rare book collection is available online via collaboration with the British Library; University of Oxford; National Library of France; University of California, Berkeley; University of Washington; U.S. Library of Congress; and Vatican Library.

“With 66 institutions signing on for the global platform, we expect to make even greater progress in promoting interdisciplinary exchanges via the rich resources of NCL,” Tseng said.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=233426&ctNode=413)