Collecting levels is a concept that considers the intensity and depth of current levels of collection together with the volition and plans for future collection and preservation. A collecting level is expressed as a numbered level after the volume and quality of the collection has been scrutinized and evaluated, typically based on the conspectus method.

Collecting levels are commonly applied to all collections in any subject area, and reflect in a timely fashion technological changes in digital information that related to all physical collections, commercial databases, and online information resources provided by the Library.

Collecting levels is a concept that considers the intensity and depth of current levels of collection together with the volition and plans for future collection and preservation. A collecting level is expressed as a numbered level after the volume and quality of the collection has been scrutinized and evaluated, typically based on the conspectus method.

Resources that are not considered basic resources (such as monographs and reference resources) are not collected. Level 1 collections, similar to basic information level collections, require frequent and systematic evaluation in order to maintain an up-to-date agglomeration of information. Resources that contain outdated information and previously-replaced resources should be removed.

This level refers to the selective collecting of resources that offer or define general outlines and introductory knowledge on specific subjects. Targeted resources include dictionaries, manuals, bibliography databases, main resources, historical investigation resources, and major periodical publications. In order to maintain an up-to-date collection of information, collections must be frequently and systematically evaluated.

This level refers to the collecting of resources with the aim of systematically compounding and maintaining knowledge in specific subject areas. Targeted resources include a wide range of essential texts, important ancient publications, complete collections of the works of major authors and partial works of selected authors, representative academic journals, relevant data files, reference books, and basic bibliographies. While collections at this level are appropriate for supporting college-level and higher education and satisfying the bulk of academic demands from the public and from special library users, they require systematic evaluation in order to maintain an up-to-date base of information.

This level refers to the collecting of major resources such as research papers necessary for doctoral and independent studies, resources pertaining to new discoveries, results of scientific experimentation, and other information. Targeted resources include academic journals, major journals of indexes and abstracts, key reference books, a wide range of academic books, and major electronic resources. Resources necessary for historical studies need to be adequately preserved, even if the resource involved is antiquated.

This level refers to comprehensive collecting in a specific subject area regardless of the language, format, and date of publication of the resource. Collecting on this level aims to maintain and provide specialized collections in a particular subject. Therefore, resources for historical studies need to be aggressively preserved, even if they are antiquated. When the Library assigns one of the five Collecting Levels, the standards for the formats and characteristics of the resources in each subject are determined based on <Table III-1>.

• (1) Target Resources
• Library resources published (produced) in Korea, regardless of the format, medium, or language of the resource, are stipulated in Article 13 (1) of the Enforcement Rules of the Libraries Act.
• This policy also applies to library resources that were published or produced prior to 1965 when the legal deposit system came into effect, as well as to ephemera that were excluded from the list of legally defined deposit targets.
• (2) Basic Guidelines
• Legal deposit resources are collected and comprehensively developed based on the legal deposit regulations outlined in Article 20 (1) of the Libraries Act.
• Even if a resource is already within the legal deposit, additional copies required for library users or for preservation are acquired through purchase or any other method of collection, or through reproduction processes such as migration and photo-printing.
• Special collection that are not targets for legal deposit are selectively developed by making use of methods including purchasing, donation, photo-printing and digitizing based on the value of the content to library users and the importance of the preservation of the resource in terms of physical bibliography.
• Other library resources from before the legal deposit system was put in place, retroactive resources such as resources from the period of Japanese occupation and ancient publications are to be collected to the greatest extent possible, depending on their historical significance.
• Among print resources, ephemera, and among non-print resources, hand-written manuscripts are described in 2.3 Special Collection. Digital formats are covered in 2.4 Electronic Resources.

• (1) Monographs
• While as an overarching rule the Library collects general books in accordance with the legal deposit system, it also, as a complementary measure, purchases and acquires as many resources as is possible within budget constraints. Low-level resources, however, such as textbooks, are collected in a strictly limited manner in consideration of the value of the resource.
• (2) Reference Collection
• Reference books include dictionaries, encyclopedias, manuals, yearbooks, directories of personal names, directories of geographical names, journals of indexes or abstracts, book lists, and more.
• When a reference book has also been released in electronic format, as a web database or in some other version, collection of the print format is given top priority and complemented with collecting through legal deposit, purchase, or other means.
• Reference books are maintained in as complete a collection as possible by purchasing original versions of reference books published prior to the instigation of legal deposit and by manufacturing replacements.
• (3) Serials
• Serials refer to magazines (popular, academic), newsletters, annual reports, yearbooks, newspapers, etc. that are published periodically or non-periodically with no set date for cessation of publication.
• As much as possible and as a general rule, serials are collected in accordance with the legal deposit system and complemented with purchasing, acquisition, and other means.
• Regarding academic journals, those endowed with a review system and that are published in print format are collected first. Those in electronic formats are also collected for the purpose of offering online access.
• Newspapers are collected as original copies as a general rule. When the resource is retrospective, however, priority is given to collecting replacement copies after reviewing their accessibility as reduced-size editions, micro-reproductions, electronic versions, etc.
• (4) Government Publications
• Policy resources, white papers, yearbooks, annual reports, reports, statistics booklets, etc. issued by the central government and by local governments or semi-governmental institutions are collected in full through legal deposit as a general policy.
• Among government publications, it is recommended that resources entirely related to understanding a region, legislation (articles of association, regulations) produced by a bureaucratic unit lower than local governments (eup, myeon, dong), financial statements, minutes, regional taxpayer reports, etc. are collected by representative local libraries.
• (5) Dissertations
• Graduate and doctoral dissertations are normally collected through legal deposit in the form of original paper-based copies.
• Dissertations submitted by Korean citizens to foreign universities are purchased or collected through other methods and are made available in an accessible and usable fashion by cooperating with the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Korea Education and Research Information Service.
• (6) Additional Gray Literature
• Assorted research reports and surveys; resources from academic meetings; seminar booklets; and other such gray literature are selectively collected.
• (7) Loose-leaf Resources
• Whenever addenda of loose-leaf resources such as laws and ordinances provided by the central government are produced, they are collected and made into loose-leaf copies so that the originals may be preserved.
• Legal booklets and regulations published by local governments are preferably provided through the more convenient format of online access rather than being preserved as loose-leaf copies.
• (8) Standards and Patents
• Standards and patents are collected selectively. Uncollected standard and patent resources are provided support for online use and access through related websites of the relevant organizations.
• (9) Maps
• Maps include single-sheet maps, charts, atlases, aerial and remote exploration images, cartographic resources, geographical guides, and others
• Historical maps that complement and clarify Korean history are developed with perennial interest. In particular, maps produced or held overseas and Korean maps not previously collected through legal deposit are actively pursued.
• Ancient maps are collected with priority through purchase in order to complement existing registered map collections, but other collecting methods, such as donation requests or preservation agencies, are considered. Ancient maps are described in 2.3 Special Collection.
• Recent maps are collected to the greatest extent possible through legal deposit and then by purchasing and requesting donations from map manufacturers and distributors.
• (10) Photographs
• Photographs refer to individual sheets of visual resources that record individuals, historical events, architecture, the natural environment, cultural heritage, and a range of events.
• As a general rule, photographs are collected as original copies and acquired through purchase and donation.
• In particular, the Library actively collects and preserves photographs of personages and historic events of great impact on Korean history and society, irrespective of being an original copy or a reproduction. The Library also digitalizes such resources.
• (11) Music Scores, etc.
• Scores and other resources related to music are actively collected through legal deposit.
• Through purchase or donation the Library collects scores, etudes, and private resources from internationally renowned Korean composers, as well as resources related to celebrated music publishers and concert ensembles and original resources or copies from composers/musicians. Preference is given to the collection of copies that enhance the research value of the existing collection.
• Collecting through purchase is performed in the case of rare musical resources that are crucial supplements to the printed music collection, as well as with reference resources that are useful for supporting subjects or readers.
• (12) Microforms
• Microforms (microfilm, microfiche, micro-opaque, and so on) are collected in accordance with the development guidelines for general books, serials, newspapers, audio-visual resources, and other categories.
• When resources exist in print, microform, and/or electronic formats, the Library collects them in the preferred order of: print format, electronic format, and microform.
• (13) Audio-visual Resources
• The collection of audio-visual resources encompasses visual resources (slides, filmstrips, videotapes, cinematic films, video disks, transparencies, etc.), audio resources (vinyl records, cassette tapes, audio tapes, CDs, etc.), and realia or replicas (globes, samples, games, etc.). When emphasis is not placed on maintaining the integrity of resources through collection in their original formats, the Library prioritizes collecting digital formats.
• The Library enhances the accessibility and preservation of audio-visual resources in the existing collection through a variety of periodic media management methods, including medium reproduction and migration of format and medium.

• (1) Ancient Publications (antique books, archival documents, ancient maps, etc.)
• Ancient publications such as antique books, archival documents, and ancient maps, missives and engravings are actively collected through purchase, donation, legal deposit, and photo-printing.
• Antique books are defined as resources published or transcribed prior to 1910. The Library categorizes them as manuscripts, block books, and printed books and collects them to the greatest extent possible.
• Among ancient publications, rare books or resources published prior to 1659 are collected either by purchase or donation when they are considered rare or valuable in terms of physical bibliography. In the case of additional copies, the Library takes the collection status of the resources into consideration and determines whether or not they will be acquired.
• The Library focuses on the purchase of nationally-important ancient publications only when their provenance has been established and the collection is complemented with other donations and long-term loans.
• The Library continues to selectively collect sets of ancient publications as microfilms or in digitized formats
• (2) Photo-printed Reproduction Resources
• The Library actively collects currently un-held ancient publications and modern resources which were published prior to the instigation of legal deposit.
• Regarding ancient Korean publications preserved in separate domestic and foreign institutes, the Library gives priority the development of those published or hand-written prior to 1910 or to complete overseas sets that exist in the Library collection but with volumes missing.
• Even if individual editions of a resource are present in the library collection, different editions of that work are to be collected through donation or photo-printing reproduction.
• (3) Juvenile Resources
• The Library develops general books, references, parental resources, and educational and research resources published (produced) with children and adolescents in mind based on the legal deposit system. Resources published before the implementation of the legal deposit system are collected through purchase and donation.
• The Library admits to the Library collection major resources related to children’s literature penned by accomplished writers of juvenile fiction by emphasizing donation activities or encourages owners to place them in trust.
• (4) Alternative Resources for the Disabled
• Alternative resources for the disabled include those designed for the blind (such as Braille books and scores, audio books, large-print books, electronic books, DAISY digital talking books, books using Braille in combination with letters, screen commentary videos, and touch and feel books) and for the hearing-impaired (such as video books in sign language, sign language/subtitle-inserted videos, and readable books).
• The Library should devise a mid- to long-term plan for the continued development of alternative resources for the disabled.
• Alternative resources are selected and developed according to type of disability. The Library prioritizes the developing and manufacturing of DAISY digital reading books by considering demands and preferences based on type of disability and on internet and digital information distribution circumstances. Analogue resources including Braille books and cassette tapes are acquired to complement the collection.
• When publications are converted into Braille or into voice recordings, the Library stresses conformity to the original by avoiding abridged versions or partial omissions.
• For the production of recorded books for the blind, the insertion of subtitles or sign language for the hearing-impaired, and the development of digital recorded books for the intellectually disabled, the Library endeavors to revise and amend the provision of limitation on authors’ property rights under the Copyright Act.
• (5) Ephemera
• The category of ephemera generally refers to publications of fewer than five pages. This includes booklets, leaflets, posters, brochures, invitations, handbills, programs, and cards. The Library selectively collects ephemeral resources that contribute to a documentary record of the past and offer current information.
• The Library focuses on the collection of ephemeral resources that deal with or are related to the nation.
• Ephemera worth acquiring should include a considerable amount of factual or descriptive information; significant visual elements such as design, logos, or portraiture; or constitute an outstanding example of their type.
• (6) Additional Special Collection
• Additional special collection includes exhausted/unpublished editions, limited editions, three-dimensional objects, and more.
• Exhausted/unpublished editions and limited editions not presently held by the Library are selectively collected based on the information value of their contents.
• Realia, artifacts and three-dimensional objects (e.g. coasters, models, and time capsules) are collected in a highly selective manner when an item contains information not readily delineated or expressed elsewhere.

• (1) Offline (packaged) Electronic Resources
• Offline electronic resources refer to packaged digital content designed for use with physical devices, including CD-ROMs, DVDs, VCDs, floppy disks, and cassette tapes.
• When offline electronic publications are available in addition to printed versions, the Library collects both formats but emphasizes collecting the print version.
• When offline electronic publications also exist in network formats, the Library contracts for the network format only if it meets contract terms for reproduction, such as access/reading, output, and download.
• When electronic publications which are currently collected in an offline format meet the contract terms for reproduction, such as access/reading, output, and download, the Library converts them to network format.
• (2) Online (network-based) Electronic Resources
• Online electronic resources are network format electronic publications which are available via the Internet. These include electronic books and journals, Web databases, and digitized versions of the Library collection.
• When developing online electronic resources, the Library pays heed to the permission criteria for simultaneous users, copies and downloads within the site, remote copy/delivery services, and digital archiving, not simply the speed and convenience of access and research.
• The Library gives precedence to the collecting of resources that allow simultaneous digital archiving and user services and is actively developing future online electronic resources.
• (3) Internet (web-based) Information Resources
• Internet information resources are defined as electronic publications of all types of file units and include electronic books and journals, government publications, dissertations, reports, policy and administrative documents, statistics, and others of this sort.
• Priority is placed on the development of maintaining representative bibliographic databases, knowledge databases focused on subjects, gray literature (reports, conference proceedings, dissertations, government publications, and others), dissertations of file units (open access dissertations), fragmentary academic information (including statistical databases, research data, legislative data, map resources, and policy documents), major dictionaries, thesauri, rare and out-of-print resources, institutional repositories, digital archives, academic publishers, database vendors, commercial document delivery services (DDS) institutions, academic research institutes/societies/associations, and administrative or public institutions.
• When the Library selects and collects websites for digital archiving and access, it collaborates with the institutions concerned and other interested parties in accordance with Article 20-2 of the Libraries Act (Collection of Online Resources). ※ The Library will establish separate guidelines for specific collection development standards related to online electronic resources (network-based resources, internet web information resources, and others).

• (1) Target Resources
• Foreign resources are defined as resources published/produced overseas, irrespective of their universality and/or uniqueness; namely, resources to which the territorial principle is applied.
• The foreign resources include library resoureces published (produced) in all formats and media. As for general collection, the Library collects general books (academic books), reference books, serials, government publications, and gray literature focusing on dissertations and reports.
• Special collection includes ancient publications, juvenile resources, and alternative resources for the disabled. In addition, these collections cover Korea-related and North Korean resources, multicultural resources, and timely and special resources reflecting societal trends and the current of the times.
• Regarding ancient publications, including antique books and ancient maps, collection emphasis is placed on Korea-related resources published overseas. Publications by Korean authors and ancient foreign publications are collected on a restricted basis.
• (2) Basic Guidelines
• The Library focuses on the purchase of resources of notable research and archival value that are published (produced) in major countries, by world bodies or by foreign embassies in Korea. In addition, it selectively develops resources through additional collection methods (donation, voluntary deposit, exchange, reproduction, and others).• Collecting through donation covers publications by Korean authors or those related to Korea, resources published within the previous five years, and resources which are deemed important by the chief librarian.• Collecting through international exchange centers on government publications, periodicals from academic and research institutes and resources related to Korea published overseas. Whenever possible, collection priority is given to government publications from the U.S., the EU, Japan, China, and Taiwan. • In addition, the Library actively collects publications by the United Nations (UN), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Asia Development Bank (ADB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Labor Organization (ILO), which have designated the National Library of Korea as a depository library. Furthermore, the Library is continuing to extend its scope of collection.• The scope of collection development for foreign resources includes all those subject areas constituting the standard classification scheme (DDC, KDC), ranging from general to history. However, essential resources by subject area are extensively collected while interdisciplinary and fringe resources are selectively collected in consideration of budget, the collection, the country of publishing, language and holdings in similar domestic institutions. The collecting level targets level 4 (Research), but different levels from 1 to 4 are applied according to subjects. However, collecting level 5 (Comprehensive) is applied to all Korea-related bibliographic resources published (produced) overseas.
• The development guidelines for foreign resources according to main types are outlined in development guidelines for 3.2 General Collection, 3.3 Special Collection; offline/online internet information resources are outlined in 3.4 Electronic Resources. Guidelines for other resources are pursuant to those of domestic resources.
• In acquiring foreign resources, the Library reflects national and linguistic diversity and places collection priority on resources from the U.S, the U.K., China, Japan, and North Korea, all of which are preferred by domestic users and contain elevated knowledge value. As for resources from other countries, the Library emphasizes Germany, France, and Russia, in that order.
• In particular, the Library actively collects resources on China’s Northeast project, resources from the Japanese government relating to Dokdo Island, and strategically important resources of Northeast Asia.
• North Korean resources are comprehensively collected, irrespective of their format or content level.
• Electronic resources, including CD-ROMs and Web databases, are collected based on user demand, utility and integrity of data, convenience of access and usage, lack of printed editions, and cost-effectiveness.

• (1) Monographs
• Regarding general books, up-to-date academic or popular books that are considered helpful to research into and the understanding of foreign affairs and development by all classes of users, including research groups, students, and the general public are carefully selected and collected through purchase and other methods.
• In particular, the Library purchases up-to-date general resources relating to the library field and Library and Information Science. It also collects as much related resource as possible through cooperation between libraries.
• (2) Reference Collection
• Collection of reference books focuses on the full range of major dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, yearbooks, statistics, directories of geographical names, journals of indexes and abstracts.
• When reference books held in the Library are revised, the Library will invariably acquire the latest edition in order to maintain the pace of updating.
• (3) Serials
• The serials collection contains magazines (academic journals, cultural magazines) and newspapers that the Library actively purchases on a continuous basis.
• Other matters related to the collecting level and development of serials are in accordance with 3.1 (2) Basic Guidelines for Foreign Resources.
• (4) Government Publications
• Government publications are being acquired on a selective basis by introducing those from North Korea, China, Russia, India, and Brazil to the existing collection from OECD member countries.
• The Library collects in print and microform formats government publications issued in major countries. The collection is complemented by electronic publications and internet files.
• In the case of government publications from a federated country, collection priority is given to resources from the federal government.
• Other matters related to the collecting level and development of government publications are in accordance with 3.1 (2) Basic Guidelines for Foreign Resources.
• (5) Gray Literature
• Gray literature includes dissertations from major universities, reports from academic societies and research institutes of all types, sourcebooks for academic meetings and seminars, and others.
• The Library selectively collects dissertations produced by universities in major countries, policy and research reports published by leading themed research institutes in OECD member countries, and resources from seminars conducted by academic societies representing every field of study; however, it may apportion the responsibility of collection with academic research institutes or devise a method for dividing the collection.
• Gray literature published by foreign academic societies is selectively collected and acquired based on its resource value to academic research and its international profile and influence.
• When major gray literature is available in both print and electronic formats, collection priority is given to the print version, but the electronic versions are also digitally archived for preservation.
• (6) Maps
• The collection of maps produced overseas spans a range of formats, including single-sheet maps, charts, atlases according to continents and themes, globes, gazetteers, cartographic books and serials.
• Map resources are acquired by both purchase and donation. The Library thoroughly collects ancient and contemporary gazetteers and supports digital archiving and web accessibility
• In particular, collection priority is placed on original printed versions of maps which are directly or indirectly related to Korea in terms of strategy, geography, politics, economy, and demographics. Maps are comprehensively collected through reproduction, including photo-printing and migration.
• The Library gives precedence to the collection of antiquated Korea-related maps, maps of Dokdo Island produced overseas, Japanese and Chinese maps of Asia related to territory and territorial waters, North American maps, and European maps, in that order.

• (1) Ancient Publications
• The Library actively collects the following: antique books and manuscripts which were published in Korea but preserved in foreign countries; archaic and rare books with Korea-related content; archives and older maps with content mainly related to Korea; and original copies of international classics.
• The Library collects ancient publications related to Korea through purchase, donation request, permanent loan, and photo-printing. It then concentrates on preservation and on maintaining their integrity
• Original copies of international classics are collected predominantly in photo print format. When they also exist in digital format, the Library collects both to enhance accessibility.
• Among library collection held in related institutes, including foreign libraries and record offices, the Library continues to collect microfilm or digital-format resources of high value in terms of content and physical bibliography.
• (2) Juvenile Resources
• The Library concentrates on collecting Korea-related juvenile resources published in different countries; juvenile resources by Korean authors residing overseas; Korean juvenile books translated into foreign languages; picture books and classic children’s storybooks from around the world; research resources relating to literature and picture books; award-winning works of children’s literature and major works by leading children’s authors; juvenile resources related to the culture, customs, history, and geography of major countries; legends, fairy-tales, and folklore from different countries; and foreign juvenile resources, including major academic journals and references.
• The Library supports cooperative international efforts toward resources exchanges with overseas children’s libraries and actively collects foreign juvenile resources through interaction with foreign embassies and cultural centers in Korea.
• (3) Alternative Resources for the Disabled
• When selecting alternative resources for the disabled from abroad, they are collected according to the collection guidelines for domestic resources.
• In order to collect foreign alternative resources, the Library supports cooperation with international civic organizations and overseas libraries in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Sweden, and Japan, all of which boast a relatively abundant resource service for the disabled.
• (4) Multicultural Resources
• In consideration of the proportions of multicultural residents of Korea, the collection of multicultural resources focuses on China, Japan, Russia, Mongol, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Sri Lanka.

• (1) Offline (packaged) Electronic Resources
• Where foreign offline electronic publications are available to accompany print versions, the Library collects both formats but prioritizes the acquisition of print versions.
• When foreign offline electronic publications also exists online, the Library gives priority to the online format only when it meets the contract terms relating to access/reading, output, reproduction and download. Furthermore, in such cases the offline electronic publication is converted into an online format.
• As for foreign packaged electronic magazines, the Library selects those bundles with a comprehensive number of magazines. It makes selective purchases based on usage rate in the case of retrospective magazines and newspapers. The collection of electronic books focuses on reference resources while the collection of bibliographic databases (indexing and abstracting, citation) focuses on the leading packages within specific disciplines (the humanities, social science, and scientific technology). The collection of reference resources focuses on packages useful for comprehensive services.
• (2) Online (network-based) Electronic Resources
• The Library contracts for and collects foreign online electronic resources based on the speed and convenience of access and research, the permission criteria for simultaneous users, copies and downloads within websites, remote copy/delivery services, and digital archiving.
• The Library carefully selects and collects commercial bibliographies, publication information, national bibliographies, bibliographic databases, factual databases, and packaged electronic magazines from major countries and collects reference resources with a focus on dictionaries, statistical data, and statute books.
• (3) Internet (web-based) Information Resources
• The Library culls web-based resources, including knowledge databases on particular subjects, gray literature, file unit dissertations, fragmentary academic information (statistical databases, research data, legislative data, map resources, policy documents, etc.), institutional repositories, digital archives, commercial DDS institutions, academic research institutions/societies/associations, and administrative or public institutions.
• ⦁ In acquiring historical, modern and contemporary Korea-related resources, the Library carefully selects and collects websites and web resources of which the accuracy and value is widely affirmed. ※ The Library will set forth separate guidelines for specific development standards for both foreign and domestic electronic resources.

• (1) General Class
• The Library sets its overall collecting level for general class at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support) but selectively assigns collecting levels from 1 to 5 to subjects within the class.
• Publications and bibliographical references from individual countries are collected at Level 4 (Research), but definitive bibliographies from selected major countries are acquired at Level 5 (Comprehensive). Catalogues of publications, annotated bibliographies and commercial bibliographies from institutional bodies including libraries are collected selectively at Level 1 (Minimal).
• Monograph and serial collections on library and information science are collected at Level 4 (Research).
• Encyclopedias, serials and resources from learned bodies and societies are acquired in accordance with the development guidelines for General Collection (3.2).
• Newspapers and works on journalism are collected at Level 2 (Basic Information) and the collection of newspapers and other related resources is developed in accordance with the guidelines for Serials (3.2 (3)).
• The collection of complete editions is carried out at Level 2 (Basic Information), with priority given to high-quality series released by universities, research institutes and leading publishers in major countries.
• Works on traditional and indigenous cultures are collected at Level 1 (Minimal). The collection is confined to region-based rare books and manuscripts from major countries that are deemed worthy of acquisition and preservation by a national library in terms of information content and physical bibliography.
• (2) Philosophy
• The Library sets its overall collecting level for philosophical works at Level 4 (Research) but selectively assigns either the collecting level of 3 or 4 to specific subjects within the class.
• General collections on philosophy, including metaphysics, epistemology, causationism, logic and ethics, are selectively acquired at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support). Resources acquired include works on systems of philosophy, specific schools of thought, social philosophy, moral philosophy and anthropology.
• For Oriental philosophy, the Library collects resources at Level 4 (Research), focusing on works relating to Chinese and Japanese philosophy. Foreign studies which touch on Joseon-era schools of philosophy (the Yogacara School, the Zhu Xi School, the Toegye School, the Yulgok School, the Wang Yangming School, the Silhak School and others), together with similar topics, are acquired at Level 5 (Comprehensive) regardless of retrospective and/or contemporary resources.
• For Western philosophy, works on British, American, German and French philosophy are collected on a selective basis at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support).
• The psychology collection continues to be developed at its current level of 3 (Study or Instructional Support), with special emphasis being placed on works which provide an overview of trends and developments within the discipline. A limited range of works is to be acquired in evolutionary psychology and in the subcategories of applied psychology of human relations, human development and communication.
• (3) Religion
• The Library sets its collecting level for works on Buddhism, Christianity, Cheondogyo, Hinduism, Islam, Taoism and other religions at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support) but selectively assigns collecting levels from 1 to 3 to subjects within the class.
• Religious works relating to Korea are acquired extensively at Level 5 (Comprehensive).
• Religious works supporting multicultural immigrants are predominantly collected in the languages of countries involved, and collecting levels from 1 to 3 are assigned on a selective basis. To that end, the Library establishes productive cooperative relationships with foreign embassies and culture centers in Korea along with Korean embassies and culture centers abroad.
• (4) Social Sciences
• The Library sets its overall collecting level for works on social sciences at Level 4 (Research) but selectively assigns collecting levels from 2 to 4 to subjects within the class.
• Works on statistics and similar related topics are acquired at Level 4 (Research). Priority is assigned to statistical bibliographies and yearbooks, a range of statistical data, academic journals, and statistical guidelines from major countries (G20) and from international and inter-governmental bodies (such as UN, OECD, EU, World Bank and UNESCO). This collection further includes socio-economic indicators, census data, policy and administrative data, and data pertaining to a variety of specific topics, as well as catalogues and listings of publications. However, as statistical resources increasingly become available on the Internet, in place of collecting resources in print format the Library compiles robust digital collections by archiving network-based electronic resources and improving access to online databases.
• For the subject of economics, the Library aims to collect resources at Level 4 (Research), focusing on publications from major countries and from international and inter-governmental organizations. However, current economic resources addressing socio-psychological aspects of human behavior; works on labor, commerce, communications and transport; and overviews of economic conditions in Asia are collected on a selective basis at Level 2 (Basic Information). The Library acquires works on business administration (management theory, leadership, organization management, human resource management, financial management, resource management, public relations and marketing) at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support) and offers access to online databases.
• The Library collects works related to sociology and social issues at Level 4 (Research), giving precedence to academic books, government publications, research papers, academic journals and sourcebooks for seminars. To that end, a selected range of resources are collected in the fields of social issues and pathology, social policy and reform, social welfare, criminology and penology, the family, marriage, gender and human sexuality, communities, classes, races and social groups. Studies on North Korean society and on the social, economic and political status of overseas Koreans are intensively and systematically collected at Level 4 (Research).
• The Library aims to collect works on political science at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support), placing particular emphasis on works pertaining to political theory and thought, forms of government, electoral systems, political parties and diplomacy. However, works on notable political and diplomatic figures of influence on the domestic and international stage, as well as works on political and diplomatic issues in North Korea, are collected at Level 4 (Research). In addition, in order to endow its political science collections with quantitative and qualitative value, the Library continues to collect monographs, research papers and ephemera dealing with civil rights in specific countries, international pressure groups, political party systems in major countries and political movements.
• The collection for the field of public administration includes works on administrative theories and practices, central and local governments, government agencies and other public organizations, and civil service systems. The Library’s collection in this subject area is being developed to reach Level 4 (Research), with priority given to monographs, academic journals, government publications, policy resources, reference resources and statistical data. Biographies of heads of state from major countries and works on administrative organization and parliamentary systems are actively acquired.
• The Library aims to collect resources related to law at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support), giving priority to monographs, research papers, academic journals and reference resources from OECD member countries. However, in consideration of the collections already developed by other law libraries, the Library aims to selectively collect international treaties and law reports from a wide range of international bodies (the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, the International Law Commission and the International Commission of Jurists) as well as works on constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law, civil law, commercial law, civil procedure law, criminal procedure law and other special laws (labor law, education law, environmental law, traffic laws and building codes) at Level 2 (Basic Information), with the exception of laws and regulations affecting state affairs.
• Recently, as law-related resources become increasingly available on the web and through portal sites, the Library is concentrating its efforts on digital archiving and improving online access rather than on collecting print publications.
• The overall collecting level for the subject of education is assigned at Level 4 (Research) but works in the fields of education theory, sociology of education, higher education, and social education, as well as textbooks, are collected on a selective basis at Level 3.
• Works on customs and folklore, including food, clothing and shelter; the four ceremonial events of coming of age, weddings, funerals and ancestral rites; etiquette; festivals; folklore literature and cultural anthropology, are collected at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support) with priority given to works from leading countries, including the United States, Europe, and Asian countries. In particular, works from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, China and North Korea are actively collected.
• Works on defense and military science are collected at Level 2 (Basic Information). However, foreign studies and analyses on the Korean War and inter-Korean military tensions and armed conflicts are extensively acquired at Level 5 (Comprehensive), irrespective of type or format.
• (5) Natural Sciences
• The Library sets its overall collecting level for the natural sciences at Level 4 (Research) but selectively assigns collecting levels from 1 to 4 to subjects within the class.
• The Library aims to collect general books, reference books, academic journals, government publications, research papers, sourcebooks for seminars, conference proceedings, policy documents and legal resources. The collection includes works on general science, science education, scientific theories of subjects in this class, philosophy and history of science, directories and biographies of scientists, output of scientific research institutions and laboratories, research achievements and data, levels of scientific literacy and distribution of scientific information.
• In the case of academic journals, the Library limits its collection to those titles included in the Science Citation Index and aims to develop a hybrid collection that embraces print- and digital-format publications. If academic journals are available in both print and electronic formats, the Library gives collecting priority to printed journals and provides access to electronic versions through licensing agreements. The digital archiving authority must be affirmed for purely-digital academic journals.
• The Library continues to collect biographies of eminent scientists such as Nobel laureates, along with other related works. In particular, an assortment of foreign works dealing with the history and development of Korean science and technology are acquired through purchase, donation and other means.
• Natural science resources for elementary and secondary education are not collected. Resources for tertiary education are collected on a selective basis and confined to works from scientifically prominent countries.
• (6) Technology
• The Library sets its overall collecting level for technology at Level 4 (Research) but selectively assigns collecting levels from 1 to 4 to subjects within the class.
• General and reference books, academic journals, government publications, research papers, sourcebooks for seminars, conference proceedings and policy and legal resources are collected with priority.
• In the case of academic journals, the Library limits its collection to those titles included in the Science Citation Index and aims to develop a hybrid collection that combines print and digital formats. If academic journals are available in both print and electronic formats, the Library gives collecting priority to printed journals and provides online access to electronic journals. The digital archiving authority must be ensured when license agreements are negotiated for purely-digital academic journals.
• Among high-level technological resources, a variety of costly resources on standards published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are collected on an ongoing basis.
• Works on agriculture are collected with a priority on publications from leading agricultural nations. They are also received through voluntary deposit or collaborative donation from international bodies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• Works covering the history and current trends of Korea’s technological development and a range of comparative and analytical overseas studies are actively pursued through purchase.
• Technology-related elementary and secondary educational resources are not collected but resources for tertiary education are collected on a selective basis. This collection is confined to works from technologically advanced countries.
• (7) Arts
• The Library sets its overall collecting level for the arts at Level 4 (Research) but selectively assigns collecting levels from 2 to 4 to subjects within the class.
• The Library collects works from culturally prominent nations at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support), taking into account the fact that a variety of institutions dedicated to culture and the arts are collecting works on the development and cultural interactions of architecture, craft, fine arts, painting and photography, together with other related resources.
• Calligraphic collections and other related works are acquired at Level 4 (Research) with priority given to works from China and Japan. The Library strives to actively acquire such collections even when produced by photo-printing reproduction.
• Works on the performing arts, including ballet, theater and dance, are collected at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support). However, biographies and works of outstanding international performers are collected at Level 4 (Research).
• The Library actively collects print resources related to cinema as well as television and radio programs. Scenarios, screenplays and an assortment of audio visual resources including DVDs are collected on a selective basis at Level 2 (Basic Information). In addition, the Library extensively collects translated scripts of Korean television serials aired in other countries.
• Print resources and digital files related to selected international athletic competitions such as the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup and the Asian Games are collected at Level 4 (Research). Foreign publications covering international competitions held in Korea are collected comprehensively. In contrast, a limited range of leisure and entertainment works are selectively collected at Level 1 (Minimal).
• (8) Language
• The Library sets its overall collecting level for language at Level 4 (Research) but selectively assigns collecting levels from 1 to 4 to subjects within the class.
• General works on language, including resources related to linguistics, sociology of language, comparative linguistics, dialectology and the history of language, are collected at Level 4 (Research).
• Monolingual dictionaries in foreign languages, bilingual dictionaries, polyglot dictionaries and special-term language dictionaries are extensively acquired at Level 4 (Research), irrespective of nation or region. When revised editions are published, the Library should add them to its collections.
• Monographs, academic journals, research papers and other works covering etymology, phonemes and sounds, vocabularies, dictionaries, grammars, writing, readers and conversation, and dialects of Chinese and Japanese languages, both of which fall within the Chinese-character cultural sphere, are collected at Level 4 (Research). In the case of works on other Asian languages, including Mongolian, the Library collects on a selective basis and focuses on delivery of multicultural services to immigrants rather than on research support for scholars.
• Resources published in English are collected at Level 4 (Research), works in German, French and Spanish at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support) and those in other languages at Level 1 (Minimal).
• Foreign resources on the introduction, analysis, comparison and reinterpretation of the Korean language are collected comprehensively, irrespective of format or medium. The Library extensively acquires teaching resources published (produced) in foreign languages to facilitate improved learning and understanding of Korean.
• (9) Literature
• The Library sets its overall collecting level for literature at Level 4 (Research) but selectively assigns collecting levels from 1 to 4 to subjects within the class.
• Basic works on literature, such as monographs, academic journals, theses and dissertations dealing with literary theory, the art of writing and rhetoric, the history of literature and literary criticism are acquired at Level 4 (Research), irrespective of the language of production. However, complete series of global literature and of the literature of individual countries are collected on a selective basis, with priority given to the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Japan and Russia.
• Literary works from individual countries are acquired in the original language, with priority given to the output of authors awarded authoritative, internationally-acknowledged literary prizes, including Nobel Prize for Literature. However, the Library uses auxiliary tools such as book reviews, book notices and commentaries to selectively collect items off of the best-seller lists.
• Biographies of major literary figures from all corners of the globe are grouped according to literary forms and extensively collected.
• Ancient and contemporary Korean literary works translated into foreign languages, foreign studies offering an overview of Korean literature, and analyses or criticisms of a particular Korean author’s works are collected at Level 5 (Comprehensive).
• (10) History
• The Library sets its overall collecting level for history at Level 4 (Research) but selectively assigns collecting levels from 1 to 4 to subjects within the class.
• Monographs, surveys and research papers, academic journals and other types of gray literature dealing with the philosophy of history, auxiliary sciences of history, world history and the history of world culture, the history of warfare, major political events and social issues are collected at Level 4 (Research).
• Resources spanning the history of major countries and superpowers are acquired at Level 4 (Research), while works on earlier history are collected at Level 2 (Basic Information).
• Works dealing with Korean history from the mid-nineteenth century, especially resources addressing historical events and trends in and around Korea and foreign studies covering interrelationships between Korea, China and Japan, are extensively collected.
• Works relating to world geography, borders and territories, travel, exploration, national parks and world heritage are collected at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support). Maps and other cartographic resources focusing on individual countries are collected in accordance with the guidelines for Maps (3.2 (6)).
• Biographical works in each subject area are collected in accordance with the development guidelines for their individual subjects. An extensive range of biographical compilations covering notable figures across different areas are collected at Level 3 (Study or Instructional Support) by nation or by period.
• Works pertaining to royal families, aristocrats, genealogy, heraldry and other related topics are collected at Level 1 (Minimal) across a limited range of major countries. However, foreign resources dealing with the dynasties and aristocratic families of Korea are extensively acquired regardless of language or medium.