KOREA FOUNDATION

KF Global Challenger Internship Letter

Since February, I’ve been working as an intern at the C.V. Starr East Asian Library at Columbia University in New York. My major assignment is cataloging off-site Korean archaeological materials in accordance with the proper rules for romanization of Korean letters and the Resource Deion and Access (RDA) standard. To help people who don’t understand the Korean language to use the Korean Studies materials, I romanize bibliographical information such as the Korean titles of books, their authors, and their publishers according to the McCune- Reischauer system. My work in this regard is divided into two categories: original cataloging (creating new records) and copy cataloging (editing and adding to existing records).
   In most cases, the archaeological materials I work with are available in Chinese; a great many hours have been consumed in entering all of the Chinese characters. I found out that a considerable number of these materials are being published in a series using the names of the archaeological excavation sites as titles. This allows me to save time by copying and reusing certain parts of those existing records. I’ve also created a workflow guide for future interns or work-study students by compiling what I have learned on the job, as well as noting some easy-to- make mistakes.
   Beginning in March, I broadened my perspective, moving outside of the library to attend a variety of meetings, forums, and workshops. Particularly impressive were the Libraries Staff Recognition Reception, which honored the efforts of library workers, and a meeting of the American Library Association (ALA).
   During the ALA meeting, I was especially drawn to a session where participants discussed how librarians could help society. Also memorable was a session during which librarians sought ways of developing and transforming libraries from simple reading spaces into institutions that carry out alternative roles and functions for their communities. I also had a chance to look at the booths of publishers, vendors, library-related goods companies, and universities and learned much about the publishing and library cultures of the United States.

KF Library Internship C.V. Starr East Asian Library, Columbia University Yeawon Lee

USA Columbia_University East_Asian Library