• 2023-06-05

The National Central Library Director-General Shu-hsien Tseng led a group of library staff to attend Harvard University's international conference on “Tools of Trade: The Way Forward.” In addition to Director-General Dr. Shu-hsien Tseng being invited, other staff also attended and presented at the conference, including Dr. Hui-ju Chuang from Special Collections Division and Dr. Ching-ju Cheng and Bo-yue Wu from Knowledge Services Division. 

The Tools of the Trade: The Way Forward conference was held from March 14-16 at Harvard University's Science Center Hall C. The purpose of the conference was to discuss digital tools and platforms, as well as to provide an opportunity for libraries across the globe to learn from and interact with each other, and seek out closer collaborations and partnerships. Attendees at the conference came from China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Europe, North America, and from Buddhist research libraries and centers. They shared with each other tools, technology know-how, and experience from the process of gradual change from printed materials to digital tools, resources, and platforms. 

NCL Director-General Shu-hsien Tseng was invited to speak on future prospects for libraries on March 14, the first day of the conference. The opening session was chaired by Harvard-Yenching Library Director Jidong Yang. Director-General Tseng spoke on “Sharing of the Refined Asset: NCL's Strategies and Actions for Dealing with the Digital World.” She introduced the National Central Library's strategic development aims, future prospects, and its digital prospects for the future. Later, three of NCL's staff also presented on three digital humanities systems created recently by NCL. First, Dr. Hui-ju Chuang from Special Collections Division presented on the Universal Type Digital Humanities Research Platform on Ancient Chinese Books. Her presentation was titled “Diving into the Ocean of NCL's Special Collections: Universal Type Digital Humanities Research Platform on Ancient Chinese Books.” Next, Dr. Ching-ju Cheng from Knowledge Services Division talked about Taiwan Memory. Her presentation was titled “Enhancing Access of Taiwanese Historical Texts and Images: Development and Reflection of the Taiwan Memory System.” The final presenter from NCL was Bo-yue Wu from Knowledge Services, who introduced the NCL Taiwan Periodical Literature database NCL created. The title of his presentation was “Open Digital Assets for All from the Endeavors of National Central Library: An Introduction of the Taiwan Periodical Paper Index System.”