HOLLIS ClassicHarvard-Yenching Library
Korean Collection
- Overview
- Selected Harvard-Yenching Resources
- Requesting Materials
- Harvard Resources
- Selected Web Sites
- Library Map
Overview
The Korean Collection of the Harvard-Yenching Library, established in 1951, is now regarded as a premier research collection for Korean studies in the United States. At present, the collection consists of more than 120,000 volumes of monographs, 920 periodicals, and more than 6,000 reels of microfilm. The scope of the collection is wide, ranging from archaeology to contemporary economic development, with an emphasis on the humanities and social sciences. Among its unique features are a group of genealogies and official examination rosters from the 17th century, which form an indispensable source for the study of social mobility in traditional Korea; a large collection of literary writings by individual authors in classical Chinese 文集; and a comprehensive collection of books, journals, government documents, and other materials on Korea’s post-war economic development. It is the primary collector at Harvard of Korean-language newspapers, most of which are on microfilm.
More than 6,000 volumes of North Korean publications are currently held, and every effort is being made to build this aspect of the collection. In conjunction with the Korean-language holdings of the Harvard Law School Library, the Rübel Asiatic Research Collection of the Fine Arts Library, and the Harvard Map Collection, the Korean Collection of the Harvard-Yenching Library plays an important role in supporting all Korea-related teaching and research activities at Harvard. It is also a member of the Korean Collections Consortium of North America supported by the Korea Foundation of Seoul, Korea.
Questions and comments, including requests for materials and inquiries about how to use the collection, should be directed to Mikyung Kang, Librarian for the Korean Collection, at 617-495-0572 or via e-mail.
Selected Harvard-Yenching Resources
- Search for Korean-Language Newspapers in Harvard-Yenching Library
- Digital Resources for Korean Studies
- Finding Images of East Asia at Harvard and Beyond
- Korean Films, Comic Books, and Audio Materials in Harvard-Yenching Library
Requesting Materials
Harvard Resources
- Korea Institute
Information about Korea-focused talks, courses, and scholars at Harvard - Harvard University Asia Center
Overview of Asia-related events and programs at Harvard, Asian Studies directory - Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations
East Asia-related courses and faculty - Harvard-Yenching Institute
Information about Harvard-Yenching Institute visiting scholars and Institute programs - Rübel Asiatic Research Collection
Collections on Asian art in Asian and Western languages - Asian Art Collection, Arthur M. Sackler Museum
Extensive collections of Korean ceramics and paintings, as well as other Asian art
Selected Web Sites
For a broader listing of Korea-related Web sites, please see Digital Resources for Korean Studies.
- Korea Foundation
Information on Korea-related events and foundation activities - The Korean Collections Consortium
Information on major Korean academic collections in the United States - North Korea WWW Virtual Library
Links to resources on North Korea - South Korea WWW Virtual Library
Links to resources on South Korea - Korea Integrated News Database System (KINDS)
