Transcript Document
CEAL - Public Services Committee Annual Meeting Presentation San Diego, California “Know before you go…: Libraries in Taiwan” Presented by Mei-Yun (Annie) Lin East Asian Librarian University of California—Davis March 3, 2004 I. Visiting Library Information: Visa and Travel Information Which Libraries Invitation Letter Know the Language Know Library Catalogs Know Library Technology Know Library Services Visa and Travel Information • In general: you are allowed to enter Taiwan without a visa for stays of up to two weeks; a 30day landing visa can be obtained upon arrival • More visa information from: http://www.roc-taiwan.org/usoffice/sf.htm or http://iff.npa.gov.tw/iff/main1.html • Travel information from: http://202.39.225.132/jsp/Eng/html/search/index.jsp Which Libraries • Your research subject: ex. History of Taiwan • The strength of Library Collection: ex. original docs. of Japanese occupation period in Taiwan • Find the library and check into the Library’s home page • Read through every web page • If you know Chinese read the Chinese version • Contact the library with your questions Invitation Letter: any format • • • • Work with your Department here Use your own connections Have the Dept. in Taiwan send you a letter Letter comes with privileges: such as: a) b) c) d) e) library user ID and borrowing card a designate staff person to assist you may provide copying privileges may arrange room/board general assistance: ex. using special coll. Know the Language • You need to know traditional Chinese. A few of the Americans I talked with at National Taiwan University (NTU) told me if anyone wants to do research in Taiwan, the person really has to know traditional Chinese. English Literature professor from Princeton University who has been teaching at NTU for 10 years said that even though many people speak English at NTU, you might not be able to do much research if you don’t know Chinese well. Know Library Catalogs • Classifications: – Monographic: Chinese Classification Scheme for CJK materials; LC Classification for Western language materials – Periodicals: use radicals of the first title word for CJK materials and use alphabetical order for the Western language materials • Catalogs: – No Romanization; No Pinyin – Include other libraries’ catalogs and Union catalogs in the library’s home page – Subject headings in Chinese for CJK materials – Use Chinese Name Authority Know Library Technology • Library computer: – More advanced than you expected – Majority of librarians know web design, html, use of all MS applications, and searching Internet resources • Online Searching: – Can search many libraries’ catalogs or Union catalogs from one library’s home page – Paid E-Journal database requires IP address – Use phonetic or radicals to search online resources – Have program to convert simplified Chinese to traditional Chinese – You can switch to English easily for searching Know Library Services • Public Services: – Need library user card (auto censor) to enter – A refundable charge for borrowing card for nonuniversity users – No chairs to sit on in the public terminals area – No MS Works installed in Public Terminals – Limited Internet usage to 30 minutes – You can use your own wireless computer – Bring your own printing paper or use vendor card – Public restroom may not provide toilet paper – Two types of toilet facilities: squat or sitting Know Library Services • Reference Services: – Reference hours cover most of library opening hours – Has separate computer facing user to show Reference Librarian’s instruction on the Reference Desk – Provide library bibliographic instruction classes – Library user guides or E-journal user guides are written by the Ref. Librarian and are in Chinese only – Provide great Inter-Library Loan services – Librarians carry a mission to teach users to become independent researchers Know Library Services • Some rules to know – No picture taking in the library – No use of cell-phones in the library – No food & drink: drinking water and cups in front of restroom are provided – May need to check your larger sized backpacks: there are lockers II. Know Unique Differences • Environmental Issues: – Has done a great job in recycling program – Conservative in using paper products – Need to pay NT$1.00 for each carrying bag – Watch your steps: uneven in height in front of shops’ corridor area • Getting around in Taiwan – Use Metro train in Taipei: well organized & clean – Use buses combined with Metro – Bargain fares for long distance taxi ride II. Know Unique Differences -- Continued • Small Family Restaurant: – – – – Economical and good food Possible sharing table with stranger Ask for drinking water if you need Use small sheet of paper as napkins; Use chopsticks • Miscellaneous: – Bring your own wash & bath towels if you stay with family; Wear slippers at home – Most people are friendly & speak some English – Children learn English from kindergarten and up “If as researchers in Asian communities we can be sensitive and grateful guests, we will more than likely find ourselves surrounded by gracious hosts who lend us their social expertise to assist us in accomplishing our research goals.” Nguyen, Tuyen D., “Cultural Sensitivity in Conducing Sociological Research…”, Asian Studies Newsletter, vol. 48, number 4, winter 2003, p. 13-14. Please send your comments or questions to Mei-Yun (Annie) Lin at [email protected]