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  • 2012-03-15
Knowledge Shines forth from East and West—the Bavarian State Library Signs Cooperative Agreement with NCL
Knowledge Shines forth from East and West—the Bavarian State Library Signs Cooperative Agreement with NCL

As witnessed by many dignitaries and in the reverberating echoes of traditional drums, Bavarian State Library Deputy Director-general Klaus Ceynowa and National Central Library Director-general Shu-hsien Tseng signed an historic cooperative agreement on the afternoon of March 15. This international agreement is not only an important moment for two diverse libraries, it also signifies that they will have an even greater responsibility to preserve cultural assets and disseminate digital knowledge in the future.

NCL Director-general Tseng Shu hsien expressed during the signing ceremony her joy in being able to visit the Bavarian State Library in November 2009 and to discuss a cooperative endeavor. She believes that after signing the cooperative agreement, much good will come from the two libraries working together. Director-general Tseng said that the two libraries working together will help to promote exchanges between the two countries in education, culture, technology, research—all at a national library level. Specific items of cooperation include: an exchange of publications, a joint project on digital resources, co-hosting international conferences, and the exchange of professional library staff. The Bavarian State Library is especially experienced in the preservation and maintenance of ancient books and in advanced digitization technology, both items that NCL could benefit from. After the cooperative agreement was signed, the Bavarian State Library provided catalog information for 5,311 ancient Chinese books, which will be added to NCL’s Chinese Rare Book Catalog and be made available for searching online. These first fruits of this cooperative relationship will prove to enrich this research platform that has already attracted much attention in the Chinese research community.

During his speech, Klaus Ceynowa stated that the Bavarian State Library is similar to NCL in that they are both important information hubs internationally. In the new global information ecosystem both libraries play a decisive role in protecting the assets and memories of mankind. Because of this, both libraries are anxious to have people across the globe access these assets through increasingly sophisticated technology. This newly-established relationship is very ideal as both libraries have rare and unique holdings, provide a wide variety of in-depth services, are renowned cultural asset banks, and provide multimedia resources. Ceynowa emphasized that future cooperation on bibliographic information services and innovative technology will be continuous and deep. Furthermore, important contributions will be made to the global knowledge community. That is to say, the aim is to work together in making knowledge connections to allow users to access this knowledge and create their personal success and become people of wisdom.

A traditional drum performance was held before the signing ceremony to create a more poignant atmosphere during the international exchange and to afford the dignitaries from Germany an opportunity to experience traditional Taiwanese performance art. The performance was entitled “The Sun Rises in the East.” The deep thrums of the drums and the myriad of changes in the rhythm symbolized the source of life and the endless variety of living things. The two libraries resemble the rising sun and its life-giving force as they provide the light of knowledge and enable it to shine in every corner of the earth.

Dignitaries in attendance included: Director Dr. Roland Wein from the German Economic Office, Hsiao-nee Chang from the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s European office, and Librarian Andrea Bach from Seoul’s Goethe Institute Library. Bach also spoke, offering her well wishes to the success of the future project and hoping it will bring about more cultural and knowledge sharing.

Because this ceremony was an international exchange between NCL and an important library in Germany, over one hundred library professionals in Taiwan were also in attendance. They not only were favored to hear Ceynowa’s creative, inspiring, and moving talk, they were also first-hand participants in this historic event.

the Bavarian State Library Signs Cooperative Agreement with NCL
1. Deputy Director General of the Bavaria State Library Klaus Ceynowa giving a speech.
 

the Bavarian State Library Signs Cooperative Agreement with NCL
Picture 2. Klaus Ceynowa (left), deputy director general of the Bavaria State Library, and National Central Library director-general Shu-hsien Tseng sign a cooperative agreement.


the Bavarian State Library Signs Cooperative Agreement with NCL 
After the signing of the cooperative agreement.


the Bavarian State Library Signs Cooperative Agreement with NCL 
Deputy director general of the Bavaria State Library Klaus Ceynowa (5th from left), the head of the Digital Department Markus Brantl (middle), NCL Director-general Shu-hsien Tseng (4th from left), Hsiao-nee Chang from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Europe (4th from right), and Andrea Bach the head of the Goethe Institute Library in Soul (5th from right)

Last Update Time:2012-06-27