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CDP - Overseas collections: Asia

13.1 The Library has, over a long period, developed extensive collections relating to Asia. These collections have attained outstanding strength and offer scholars research opportunities not available in other Australian libraries and matched by only a few overseas libraries. The Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian and East Timorese collections in particular are a national resource. Specialist staff with appropriate language skills are employed to acquire, catalogue and provide a centralised reference service to onsite and offsite users of these collections.

13.2 The Library’s collecting from Asia focuses on East Asia (China, Japan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, and Taiwan), South-East Asia (Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) and to a lesser extent South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka). For East and South-East Asia, vernacular language publications are acquired as well as those in Western language, both from and about the region. Works from South Asia are generally acquired in English language only. Collecting from some countries lacking an established export book trade is subject to the availability of publications through local suppliers.

13.3 The Library does not generally collect from the countries of West Asia, commonly identified in Australia as the Middle East, or the countries of Central Asia due to the difficulty in obtaining material. A representative selection of works in English about both West Asia and Central Asia, however, are acquired.

13.4 Collecting on China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and East Timor is at the research level (Collecting level 4). The remaining South-East Asian countries and India are assigned intermediate level (Collecting Level 3), with the proviso that the vernacular languages of India are not collected. Other countries of the South Asia region are assigned Collecting Level 2 (basic), subject to the availability of materials.

13.5 The Library’s East Asian, Thai and Indonesian collections have considerable strengths in modern history and contemporary societies and cultures and as such are world-class. The Library collects a wide range of research materials and sustained acquisition efforts since the 1950s using commercial suppliers, gift, exchange and in-country buying have resulted in significant holdings of monographs, journals, government publications and newspapers for all of these countries.

13.6 There are important but small holdings of rare and original East Asian items to which the Library does not add, but outstanding examples with significant information content which add to existing holdings may occasionally be acquired.

13.7 The Library adds regularly to its extensive microform and reprint holdings, particularly for China and Japan. These include backsets of newspapers and microfilmed collections of primary source documentation in the subject areas described below.

13.8 Electronic resources such as CD-ROMs and web-based databases and resources are acquired where they meet the collecting policy outlined below. Additional principles observed when selecting electronic resources are integrity of the information contained in the resource, ease of access, ease of use and cost-effectiveness.

Collecting

China

13.9 Collecting from China focuses on history, the social sciences and to a lesser extent the humanities. The highest priority historical period is the modern (after 1911), while significant works on earlier periods of China’s history which provide context to the modern period are also acquired. Works on political science, government, foreign relations, economics, law, education, social issues, geography and travel are acquired. Works on China’s minority and indigenous groups are particularly sought. There are also extensive holdings of Chinese series (cong shu) and provincial yearbooks which are added to as new volumes are issued.

13.10 A representative selection of works on the literatures and languages of China is acquired, including classic texts issued in reprinted form.

13.11 Works on Chinese culture and the arts are acquired, with a lesser emphasis on works on religion and philosophy. Works on popular culture in China and materials documenting topical issues are also acquired. The principle for selection of such works is whether the work provides additional context for a broader understanding of China, its development to the modern era and its place in the modern world, whether historically, culturally or politically.

13.12 Works in Chinese on the pure sciences are not collected. A limited number of works in the applied sciences is acquired, such as works on agriculture, the environment and traditional medicine,

Japan

13.13 Collecting from Japan focuses on history, the social sciences and to a lesser extent the humanities. The highest priority historical period is the post-Meiji era (1868 onwards), including works on Japan’s development as a modern power in the early twentieth century, its imperial expansion and the lead-up to World War Two and the occupation of Japan by Allied forces. Works documenting Japan’s early relations with the West and foreign settlement in Japan are also acquired, as they complement a major collecting strength.

13.14 Works on Japanese politics, government, foreign relations, economics, law, education, social issues, geography and travel are acquired. The Library is a depository library for Japanese government publications supplied by the National Diet Library of Japan resulting in a key strength in Japanese government.

13.15 Works on Japan’s minority and indigenous groups such as the Ainu of Okinawa are particularly sought.

13.16 A representative selection of works on the literatures and languages of Japan is acquired, including popular forms such as manga (comics).

13.17 Works on Japanese culture and the arts are acquired, with a lesser emphasis on works on religion and philosophy. The fine and decorative arts collection is strong, with an emphasis on painting, drawing, ceramics and the arts and crafts movement. Works of documentary photography are also sought. The concept of Japanese ‘culture’ is interpreted broadly, and includes works documenting Japanese popular culture and topical issues. The principle for selection of such works is whether they provide additional context for a broader understanding of Japan and its place in the modern world, whether historically, culturally or politically.

13.18 Works in Japanese on the pure sciences are not collected. The Library acquires a limited number of works in the applied sciences, such as works on agriculture, the environment and modern Japanese management practices.

Korea

13.19 The Library collects works from and about both the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Collecting focuses on history, the social sciences and to a lesser extent the humanities. The highest priority is collecting contemporary history, covering the period of Japanese occupation (1911 to 1945) and onwards. Attention is given to the history of relations between north and south Korea and regional strategic issues. Works on political science, government, foreign relations, economics, law, education, social issues, geography and travel are acquired.

13.20 Current works from North Korea are acquired although availability depends on supply.

13.21 A representative selection of works on the literature and language of Korea is acquired, including classic texts issued in reprinted form.

13.22 Works on Korean culture and the arts are acquired, with a lesser emphasis on works on religion and philosophy. Works documenting popular culture and topical issues are acquired. The principle for selection of such works is whether the work provides additional context for a broader understanding of Korea, its relations in the region and its development up to the modern era, whether historically, culturally or politically.

13.23 Works in Korean on the pure sciences are not collected. The Library acquires a limited number of works in the applied sciences, such as works on agriculture, the environment and modern Korean management practices.

South-East Asia (excluding Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, East Timor)

13.24 Collecting from South-East Asia is strongest for Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and East Timor, which are dealt with separately below. For the remaining nations of the region — Brunei, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam — collecting is at intermediate level (Collecting level 3).

13.25 As with other countries of the East Asian region, collecting focuses on the modern history and contemporary societies and cultures of South-East Asia. This includes early history, periods of colonial occupation, the post World War Two period and inter-regional developments to the present day.

13.26 Works on political science, government, foreign relations, economics, law, education, social issues and development issues are acquired. Government publications are selectively acquired.

13.27 Collecting in literature and languages of the South-East Asian countries is at a lower level, acquiring acknowledged authors and in translation where available. Works on South-East Asian linguistics generally are selectively acquired and, where available, in English language.

13.28 Works on culture and the arts in South-East Asia are selectively acquired, with a lesser emphasis on works on religion and philosophy where this provides context to broader social trends.

13.29 South-East Asian publishing on the pure sciences is not collected. A limited number of works in the applied sciences is acquired, such as works on agriculture, the environment and traditional medicine.

Indonesia

13.30 The Library’s Indonesian collection is one of the best contemporary research collections in the world, built by over thirty years’ collecting from its acquisitions office in Jakarta. The collection has particular strengths in government and politics, the social sciences, economics, statistics, law, education, social issues and development issues. Publications documenting relations between the central government and the regions, including ethnic minorities, are acquired.

13.31 In building its Indonesian collection the Library acquires commercially and non-commercially published books and journals, newspapers, government publications and a broad range of materials representative of Indonesian society and current affairs. This will occasionally include semi-published materials of an ephemeral nature which cast light upon events or issues, such as election ephemera, posters and pamphlets.

13.32 A representative selection of works on the literatures of Indonesia is acquired, emphasising the modern period and including popular as well as literary fiction. Works on and in minority languages are acquired where available. Collecting on culture and the arts focuses on traditional and indigenous cultures and arts rather than modern artists and movements in Indonesia.

13.33 Materials documenting popular culture and topical issues are selectively acquired. The principle for selection of such works is whether it provides additional context for a broader understanding of Indonesia, its development and its place in the modern world, whether historically, culturally or politically.

East Timor

13.34 The Library has taken an active interest in developing a research level collection on East Timor. The Library acquires commercially and non-commercially published books and journals, newspapers, government publications and a broad range of materials representative of East Timorese society and current affairs.

13.35 Any work which documents East Timorese history, culture and society is acquired, including books, audio-visual materials and ephemera.

13.36 Publications from East Timor are acquired almost exclusively through institutional and personal contacts as this country lacks an established book trade, and publishing output is small. For this reason, publications available in any languages will be acquired. Publications in the English and Tetum languages are generally preferred.

Thailand, Cambodia, Laos

13.37 Like the Indonesian collection, the Library’s Thai, Khmer and Lao collections have been built over many years by patient acquisitions work and the development of good institutional and personal contacts in the region and are amongst the best in the world. Publications from Laos, unlike those from Thailand and Cambodia, are still acquired almost exclusively through institutional and personal contacts as this country lacks an established book trade, and publishing output is small.

13.38 The Thai collection has outstanding strengths in government and politics, the social sciences, economics, statistics, law, education, social issues and development issues. A broad range of publications is sought documenting modern Thailand. A particular strength is a comprehensive collection of Thai ‘cremation volumes’ — biographies written after death. Publications documenting regional development, ethnic minorities and relations with neighbours are also acquired. Similar materials are sought for Cambodia and Laos.

13.39 A representative selection of works on the literatures and languages of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos is acquired. Works on minority languages are acquired.

13.40 Collecting on culture and the arts focuses on traditional and indigenous cultures and arts rather than modern artists and movements in Thailand.

13.41 Materials documenting popular culture and topical issues are selectively acquired. The principle for selection of such works is whether it provides additional context for a broader understanding of Thailand, its development and its place in the modern world, whether historically, culturally or politically.

South Asia

13.42 Collecting from South Asia aims to complement existing strengths. Collecting from India is at intermediate level (Collecting level 3) and for the other countries of the South Asia region collecting is at the basic level (Collecting level 2), subject to the availability of materials.

13.43 The Library has significant holdings of western language monographs, serials and newspapers on South Asia, with an emphasis on contemporary social sciences. Government publications at the national level are an important component. Most holdings are from India, with smaller collections from Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Collections from other parts of the region are not extensive. Older materials include extensive holdings of British colonial government publications.

13.44 Collecting continues to concentrate on significant and current social, political, economic and cultural issues in the region. English language material only is collected from South Asia and is supplemented by English language material on the region published elsewhere in the world.

Relations with other Institutions

13.45 The Library maintains a strong relationship with the Library of the Australian National University, Canberra in building its collection on Asia. There are formal and informal agreements for different language collections, see Policy & Planning. A new Memorandum of Understanding is being drafted to reflect the co-operation between the two libraries.