History and Development
The Fu Ssu-nien Library, affiliated with the Institute of History and Philology (IHP) at Academia Sinica, is one of the world's most renowned libraries for Sinological research. It houses a wide range of books and materials in the fields of history, philology, archeology, ancient (pre-Qin) scripts, paleography, and anthropology. The most precious and unique materials stored in the Library are over 40,000 volumes of so-called "fine copies", mainly manuscript editions from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as well as folk literature, Chinese metal and stone rubbings.
To balance the preservation and accessibility of rare books, the Fu Ssu-nien Library launched the "Rare Book Digitization Project" in 1988, pioneering digital preservation of academic literature in Taiwan. This marked the library's first venture into digital archiving. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made through the "National Digital Archives Program (TELDAP)," reflecting years of dedicated effort. Focused on sustainability and expanding our digital achievements, we continue to innovate and enhance the Fu Ssu-nien Library's digital resources, building on our existing accomplishments.
Looking back at the historical development of the Fu Ssu-nien Library's digital archives project, it has roughly gone through the following stages:
1. 【Inception, Germination, Expansion】: Initiating the digitization of rare books
The initiation of the digitization of rare books at the Fu Ssu-nien Library dates back to the early stages of the "Rare Book CD Scanning Project" in 1988. Recognizing the unique challenges in preserving and providing access to rare books, the library opted to employ the "Wang An Integrated Image Information System" for this project. This approach utilized optical disc media to store image files of rare book collections and established a database that linked bibliographic information with images. From that point until 2000, the library adapted to evolving technological environments, overseeing transitions between old and new systems and the creation of databases. These efforts included the development of projects such as the "Fu Ssu-nien Library Rare Book Full-Text Image System," the web version of the "Fu Ssu-nien Library Rare Book Full-Text Database," and the "Fu Ssu-nien Library Rare Book Catalog." As the internet matured, readers gained the ability not only to perform bibliographic searches, such as title, author, and annotator, using standalone systems but also to access full-text images online.
Beginning in 2000, following the standards established through collaboration with the National Science Council's Digital Museum Project, the scanning process transitioned to full-color digital image specifications at 300dpi, stored in the standard uncompressed TIFF format. This phase of digitization can be considered the initial establishment of the Fu Ssu-nien Library's digital archive system, marking the practical implementation of the project.
2. 【Collaboration, Construction, Growth】: Participating in the TELDAP
In 2001, as a pioneering initiative for TELDAP (the National Digital Archive Program), the Fu Ssu-nien Library began outlining its objectives and development strategies. Later that year, in October, the library established the Digital Archives Section, dedicated to executing various digitization projects.
Between 2002 and 2012, the library officially participated in the "Taiwan e-Learning and Digital Archives Program (TELDAP)." During the program's first phase (2002-2006), the library gained practical experience through the "Rare Books from the Institute of History and Philology Fu Ssu-nien Library" subproject. This effort led to the creation of the "Fu Ssu-nien Library Rare Book Digital Collection System" and the formulation of standards such as "Fu Ssu-nien Library Full-Color Image Scanning, Photography, and Verification Operations," "Fu Ssu-nien Library Digitalization Collection Encoding Principles," "Fu Ssu-nien Library Rare Book Metadata Requirements," among others.
In the second phase of the national program (2007-2012), the focus shifted to establishing an international academic exchange platform for rare books by integrating diverse Sinological research resources and institutions. In 2007, the library received a research grant from the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange (CCKF) and partnered with institutions in the USA, including the Library of Congress, Harvard-Yenching Library, and Princeton University Library, to implement the“A Digital Library of Chinese Rare Books: A Collaborative Digitization Project.”
Over the course of nearly 12 years, our dedicated efforts in the pioneering project and two national programs have led to significant achievements in digitizing the precious collection of the IHP. The project has seen substantial growth and large-scale implementation. We have established cataloging standards for rare books and rubbings, fostered project exchanges and cooperative promotions, and developed databases with value-added applications. Throughout this process, relevant technical standards and systems have steadily matured, strengthening the library's digitization infrastructure.
3. 【Harvest, Sustainability, Cultivation】: Achieving sustainable development
In response to the conclusion of TELDAP in 2013, the significant digital assets accumulated by the IHP over the years are being preserved as part of the institute's long-term planning. During this phase, the Fu Ssu-nien Library has also taken on the task of inheriting the institute's digitization efforts related to rubbings. Apart from maintaining the existing digitization of rare books and seal data, we are working to continue the previous accomplishments related to metal and stone rubbings, including "Bronze Rubbings," "Rubbings of Buddhist Stone Statues," "Rubbings of Han Dynasty Stone Reliefs," "Oracle Bones Rubbings," "The Liao-Chin-Yuan Rubbings."
Since 2013, with support from the Academia Sinica Center for Digital Cultures (ASCDC), "The Institute of History and Philology's Project to Digitally Innovate Academic Settings (III) - Innovating Digital Archives for Fu Ssu Nien Library's Collections" has been in progress. This initiative, part of the Academy's "Digital Humanities Research Project" since 2015, focuses on expanding and enhancing the digital content of the Fu Ssu-nien Library's collections. The project includes efforts to integrate databases within the "IHP Digital Archives Online," involving database expansion, content maintenance, and the addition of academic value. This systematic approach sets the stage for the ongoing development of the Fu Ssu-nien Library's digital collections.
4. 【Preservation, Innovation, Digital turn】: Becoming bases for digital humanities
With the changing landscape of digital humanities, the Fu Ssu-nien Library continuously explores ways to transform and leverage its rich digital resources. In 2018, the library partnered with the Academia Sinica Center for Digital Cultures (ASCDC) on a one-year project titled "The Linked Open Data (LOD) Construction of Chinese Rare Books." This project employs LOD technologies and takes advantage of open licensing and RDF (Resource Description Framework) links to make a wealth of digital humanities resources machine-processable and interconnected. The research outcomes have been released on the LOD datasets platform (LOD Cloud), allowing global users to download and utilize the data.
Since 2020, efforts have been made to showcase digital collection achievements through the "Open Museum," using innovative platforms and media to promote the database and create an interactive environment for sharing digital images. Looking forward in this ever-changing era, we aim to balance innovation with preserving existing accomplishments, continuing to expand and enhance the quality and content of the collections, and gradually building the foundation for digital humanities.
Written by: Yi-Chen Chen
To balance the preservation and accessibility of rare books, the Fu Ssu-nien Library launched the "Rare Book Digitization Project" in 1988, pioneering digital preservation of academic literature in Taiwan. This marked the library's first venture into digital archiving. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made through the "National Digital Archives Program (TELDAP)," reflecting years of dedicated effort. Focused on sustainability and expanding our digital achievements, we continue to innovate and enhance the Fu Ssu-nien Library's digital resources, building on our existing accomplishments.
Looking back at the historical development of the Fu Ssu-nien Library's digital archives project, it has roughly gone through the following stages:
1. 【Inception, Germination, Expansion】: Initiating the digitization of rare books
The initiation of the digitization of rare books at the Fu Ssu-nien Library dates back to the early stages of the "Rare Book CD Scanning Project" in 1988. Recognizing the unique challenges in preserving and providing access to rare books, the library opted to employ the "Wang An Integrated Image Information System" for this project. This approach utilized optical disc media to store image files of rare book collections and established a database that linked bibliographic information with images. From that point until 2000, the library adapted to evolving technological environments, overseeing transitions between old and new systems and the creation of databases. These efforts included the development of projects such as the "Fu Ssu-nien Library Rare Book Full-Text Image System," the web version of the "Fu Ssu-nien Library Rare Book Full-Text Database," and the "Fu Ssu-nien Library Rare Book Catalog." As the internet matured, readers gained the ability not only to perform bibliographic searches, such as title, author, and annotator, using standalone systems but also to access full-text images online.
Beginning in 2000, following the standards established through collaboration with the National Science Council's Digital Museum Project, the scanning process transitioned to full-color digital image specifications at 300dpi, stored in the standard uncompressed TIFF format. This phase of digitization can be considered the initial establishment of the Fu Ssu-nien Library's digital archive system, marking the practical implementation of the project.
2. 【Collaboration, Construction, Growth】: Participating in the TELDAP
In 2001, as a pioneering initiative for TELDAP (the National Digital Archive Program), the Fu Ssu-nien Library began outlining its objectives and development strategies. Later that year, in October, the library established the Digital Archives Section, dedicated to executing various digitization projects.
Between 2002 and 2012, the library officially participated in the "Taiwan e-Learning and Digital Archives Program (TELDAP)." During the program's first phase (2002-2006), the library gained practical experience through the "Rare Books from the Institute of History and Philology Fu Ssu-nien Library" subproject. This effort led to the creation of the "Fu Ssu-nien Library Rare Book Digital Collection System" and the formulation of standards such as "Fu Ssu-nien Library Full-Color Image Scanning, Photography, and Verification Operations," "Fu Ssu-nien Library Digitalization Collection Encoding Principles," "Fu Ssu-nien Library Rare Book Metadata Requirements," among others.
In the second phase of the national program (2007-2012), the focus shifted to establishing an international academic exchange platform for rare books by integrating diverse Sinological research resources and institutions. In 2007, the library received a research grant from the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange (CCKF) and partnered with institutions in the USA, including the Library of Congress, Harvard-Yenching Library, and Princeton University Library, to implement the“A Digital Library of Chinese Rare Books: A Collaborative Digitization Project.”
Over the course of nearly 12 years, our dedicated efforts in the pioneering project and two national programs have led to significant achievements in digitizing the precious collection of the IHP. The project has seen substantial growth and large-scale implementation. We have established cataloging standards for rare books and rubbings, fostered project exchanges and cooperative promotions, and developed databases with value-added applications. Throughout this process, relevant technical standards and systems have steadily matured, strengthening the library's digitization infrastructure.
3. 【Harvest, Sustainability, Cultivation】: Achieving sustainable development
In response to the conclusion of TELDAP in 2013, the significant digital assets accumulated by the IHP over the years are being preserved as part of the institute's long-term planning. During this phase, the Fu Ssu-nien Library has also taken on the task of inheriting the institute's digitization efforts related to rubbings. Apart from maintaining the existing digitization of rare books and seal data, we are working to continue the previous accomplishments related to metal and stone rubbings, including "Bronze Rubbings," "Rubbings of Buddhist Stone Statues," "Rubbings of Han Dynasty Stone Reliefs," "Oracle Bones Rubbings," "The Liao-Chin-Yuan Rubbings."
Since 2013, with support from the Academia Sinica Center for Digital Cultures (ASCDC), "The Institute of History and Philology's Project to Digitally Innovate Academic Settings (III) - Innovating Digital Archives for Fu Ssu Nien Library's Collections" has been in progress. This initiative, part of the Academy's "Digital Humanities Research Project" since 2015, focuses on expanding and enhancing the digital content of the Fu Ssu-nien Library's collections. The project includes efforts to integrate databases within the "IHP Digital Archives Online," involving database expansion, content maintenance, and the addition of academic value. This systematic approach sets the stage for the ongoing development of the Fu Ssu-nien Library's digital collections.
4. 【Preservation, Innovation, Digital turn】: Becoming bases for digital humanities
With the changing landscape of digital humanities, the Fu Ssu-nien Library continuously explores ways to transform and leverage its rich digital resources. In 2018, the library partnered with the Academia Sinica Center for Digital Cultures (ASCDC) on a one-year project titled "The Linked Open Data (LOD) Construction of Chinese Rare Books." This project employs LOD technologies and takes advantage of open licensing and RDF (Resource Description Framework) links to make a wealth of digital humanities resources machine-processable and interconnected. The research outcomes have been released on the LOD datasets platform (LOD Cloud), allowing global users to download and utilize the data.
Since 2020, efforts have been made to showcase digital collection achievements through the "Open Museum," using innovative platforms and media to promote the database and create an interactive environment for sharing digital images. Looking forward in this ever-changing era, we aim to balance innovation with preserving existing accomplishments, continuing to expand and enhance the quality and content of the collections, and gradually building the foundation for digital humanities.
Written by: Yi-Chen Chen