PREFACE

In recent years the American people have become more and more interested in the Far East, especially in China. Evidence of this can be gathered from the various publications, from the curricula of the educational institutions, and from the development of American collections of Chinese books.

PURPOSE:— The purpose of this study is threefold, namely, (1) to require into the extent and variety of the collections of Chinese books in America; (2) to deal with the physical characteristics of Chinese books; (3) to determine how Chinese books may be handled in the investigation as embracing the two English-speaking countries— the United states and Canada.

SCOPE: — Certain knowledge is essential as a background for this study, because Chinese books have a long history; one may scarcely expect to recognize the problems which arise from their incorporation in American libraries, without a fair degree of familiarity with the elements from which these problems have arisen.

The study is divided into eight chapters, followed by a concluding chapter and two appendices. The first chapter is devoted to the various collections of Chinese books in America, with special attention to those which exceed five thousand volumes or more. Those which fall below this limit receive either brief mention, or no consideration at all. Chapter Ⅱ presents the conventional methods of the make-up of Chinese books. This serves as a background for the more specific matters studied in the subsequent chapters. The third chapter deals with author, title and imprint, followed by the fourth chapter on text. The fifth chapter describes practices of cataloguing and classification. The sixth chapter is devoted to library binding and labeling. Then follows a chapter on the arrangement of Chinese characters. The eighth chapter is concerned with the transliteration and order of entry for Chinese characters, as may be required in American libraries, under certain specific circumstances. The concluding chapter gives a summary of the whole study, and the two appendices are designed to facilitate the comprehension of the different factors pertaining to the Chinese library and bibliographical matters. Bibliographical references will be found at the end of each

chapter.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION: — The sources available for this study included an actual manipulation of many hundred Chinese books, special visits to most of the collections described, correspondence and printed literature.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY: — No attempt is made to cover every point of interest. For many significant problems, no solution is suggested—for example, the arrangement of Chinese characters. For transliteration the Wade system is followed systematically, with only such exceptions as are generally accepted.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: — The author wishes to express his great indebtedness to Dr. Pierce Butler, at whose suggestion he undertook this study and whose guidance made its completion possible. He is also under obligation to Dr. Douglas Waples, Dr. William Madison Randall and Dr. Berthold Laufer, who have read the manuscript and offered valuable criticisms. Thanks are due to the staff of the Chinese Division of the Library of Congress; to Dr. Robert de Resillac-Roese and Mr. G. M. Gest of the Gest Chinese Research Library; to Dr. G. R. Lomer of McGill University; to Mr. A. K. Chiu of Harvard University; to Dr. Hu Shih of the China Foundation; to Mr. T. L. Yuan of the National Library of Peiping; and to members of library staffs in the institutions in this study. Needless to say, for whatever omissions and errors occur in this study, the author along is responsible.

A special word of appreciation should be given to Mr. Edward Bing-suey Lee, editor-in-chief, and, Mr. Y. S. William Woo, superintendent of the printing department, of the Leader respectively, for undertaking the publication of this work. In the trials of proof-reading, the author has been greatly aided by Mr. F. C. Wang. However, for any blame for errors, the author cheerfully accepts the responsibility.

C. B. Kwei

Tsing Hua Alumni Association

39 Chi Ho Lou, East City

Peiping

November 11, 1931

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