In August 2000, the library established deposit storage building that can hold 3.6 million books, equipped with air handling system, fumigation chamber and fire protection system and so on to store valuable materials. The preservation is one of the priorities in the National Library of KOREA that it reformats heavily deteriorated materials and produce archival boxes to store materials. And as part of preservation policy, the library planned study tour to learn preservation skills of other countries.

The period of study tour was 14. Oct. - 4. Nov. 2002. The purpose of the trip was to see preservation facilities and preservation skills of other libraries.

Two groups were formed for the study tour, one group visited the National Library of China and the other visited the National Diet Library of Japan. Both group consisted of 1 conservator and 4 librarians. The first group visited the National library of China (14. to 21. Oct. 2002.) The second group visited the National Diet Library of Japan (28. Oct. to 1. Nov. 2002.) 

The study tour to the National library of China
The study group visited Rare Book Department to see their practical conservation skills. 
Rare Book Department is responsible for the management of rare books in the National Library of China. Under the department, there are Rare Book Section, Map Section, Inscription Section, Section of Publication in the Languages of Ethnic Minorities, Center for Dunhuang and Turpan Materials, Reader Services Section, Preservation and Conservation Section, and NLC Rare Book Restoration Center. The study group looked around each section of the Rare Book Department and had practical conservation lesson. 

Mr. Jiang Ping explains history, principle of preservation and conservation case study

After visiting rare book department, the study group visited other organization such as the Branch Library, the National Archive and the Beijing University Library to see its present status.
 
 

Conservation of manuscript from Dunhuang
 

The preservation policy in the national library of China is managed as a part of national heritage and conservation works are mostly done by traditional hands-on methods. For librarians this study tour gave opportunity to understand preservation processes in the national library of China and obtained conservation experience. The librarians realized preservation need great support on budget, time and manpower. For conservators this tour was chance to broaden conservation knowledge. The study group wishes to thank staffs in the international cooperation division and other staffs in the National Library of China.
 

The study tour to the National Diet Library of Japan
The study group has visited preservation division in the National Diet Library of Japan. The group got information on preservation policy and saw conservation process of western, leather and Japanese binding. The study group visited other organizations such as the Kansai-kan of the National Diet library, the National Archives of Japan, the Imperial Household Agency, the Kodak Image Center, the Osaka City Central Library, and the Osaka Prefectural Library to see their stacks and a preservation system

Various binding leathers used in leather binding section
 

In the National Diet library, preservation principle is well maintained and great interest of staffs about preservation is very impressive. From this tour, the study group realized facility and equipment can be supplemented with the well-supported budget but the most important thing is the effort and recognition of librarians and conservators who plan and deals with preservation policy. The group broadened knowledge on preservation and established foundation of preservation cooperation between libraries. The National library of Korea will continue to train conservators and librarians to get new conservation techniques and theories through study tour. The study group wishes to thank staffs of preservation division and other organization for their concern and cooperation.

The group have close look in various paper repair samples in the Japanese binding section