The NLK renovates the Korean Old and Rare Collection Information System (KORCIS)

The National Library of Korea (Chief Executive Suh Hye Ran) has recently renewed its Korean Old and Rare Collection Information System (KORCIS, www.nl.go.kr/korcis), which allows the public to easily find the locations of selected old books and access bibliographic and full-text records. The renovated system was opened to the public on January 11.

△ KORCIS, South Korea’s only search system for old and rare books

KORCIS is a comprehensive catalog that provides over 47,000 records with information on location, bibliography, full-text, text, and annotation of old and rare Korean books housed in 132 domestic and overseas organizations, including the National Palace Museum of Korea and the Harvard-Yenching Library.

In the years since its introduction in 2007, KORCIS has been praised by Korean studies researchers both at home and abroad as one of the best databases enabling fast and easy access to information on old Korean books. The NLK began renovating the system in March of last year to respond to the rapidly changing information environment and to serve the diversifying needs of users. The improved version was launched on January 11 this year.

△ Improved search functions and expanded services

The revised pilot version of KORCIS provides search with matching Chinese characters, a dictionary for variant forms of Chinese characters with the same meanings, and full-text service. Other new services include Old Books of Korea, which introduces notable old books housed at participating institutions for the general public; Free Consultation, which provides answers to questions about private collections; and Sharing My Resources, which allows the sharing of digital files from personal archives. The new KORCIS is also equipped with an integrated administration system for the managers of old books at participating institutions that is designed to improve the functions needed for the management and use of the concerned institution’s data and increase the efficiency of their work by providing a range of statistics.

This year, the NLK is planning to triple the amount of bibliographic data to provide more convenient search services.

“Old and rare books are precious documentary heritage that need to be carefully managed by the government. Through this KORCIS renovation project, we hope to help researchers and the general public access information on old books with greater ease and convenience. Going forward, we will continue to improve the system,” said NLK Chief Executive Suh Hye Ran.

Photo. The KORCIS website (www.nl.go.kr/korcis)

(Source)

https://www.nl.go.kr/NL/contents/N50603000000.do?schM=view&page=1&viewCount=9&id=41761&schBdcode=&schGroupCode=