C.V. Starr East Asian Library

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C.V. Starr East Asian Library is a prominent academic library located at Columbia University in New York City. It is one of the leading libraries in the United States specializing in East Asian studies and houses extensive collections of materials in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Tibetan languages.

History

The C.V. Starr East Asian Library was established in 1902, making it one of the oldest collections of its kind in the United States. The library was named after Cornelius Vander Starr, an American businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of East Asian studies at Columbia University.

Collections

The library's collections include over one million volumes of books, periodicals, and other materials. The holdings are particularly strong in the fields of history, literature, philosophy, religion, and social sciences. The library also possesses rare and unique items such as ancient manuscripts, woodblock prints, and maps.

Chinese Collection

The Chinese collection is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the United States, featuring over 600,000 volumes. It includes significant works from the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as modern publications.

Japanese Collection

The Japanese collection contains approximately 200,000 volumes, including rare books, periodicals, and government documents. It is particularly noted for its holdings in Japanese literature and history.

Korean Collection

The Korean collection has around 100,000 volumes, with strengths in Korean history, literature, and art. It also includes a significant number of rare books and manuscripts.

Tibetan Collection

The Tibetan collection, though smaller, is highly valuable for its rare manuscripts and religious texts. It supports research in Tibetan Buddhism and Himalayan studies.

Services

The C.V. Starr East Asian Library offers a range of services to support research and learning. These include reference assistance, interlibrary loan, and access to digital resources. The library also hosts various events, workshops, and exhibitions related to East Asian studies.

Facilities

The library is housed in a dedicated building on the Columbia University campus. It features reading rooms, study spaces, and specialized facilities for the preservation and digitization of rare materials.

Related Pages

• Columbia University Libraries
• East Asian studies
• Chinese literature
• Japanese literature
• Korean literature
• Tibetan Buddhism

See Also

• Cornelius Vander Starr
• Ming dynasty
• Qing dynasty
• Japanese history
• Korean art
• Himalayan studies