1. Technical Issues on Korean Online Database Group Purchases Mikyung Kang (UCLA) Jaeyong Chang (UCB) Korean Studies Librarian

2. Experiences on Korean CD-ROM group purchase in 1998 …

3. What I dreamed was… Sharing costs Getting more bargaining power Collaborating among EAALC (East Asian Academic Librarians of California)

4. But, what I faced was …

5. Technical problems Required Korean Windows to install All file names were Korean UnionWay was not stable enough, but the only available way to input for Korean characters to search in English Windows

6. Communication problems Ignorant of technical language (Computer technicians are using different languages!!) Hard to understand technical terms for hardware/software Not able to translate of course

7. Commitment problems Started with 5 libraries which promised to participate Only 2 libraries left in the end

8. Lessons from the past experiences … Wait for the right timing: –Technically ready –Financially ready –Psychologically ready Let Korean DB vendors know of potential oversea customers

9. In the meantime … Online Services for all CD-ROM titles and more DB titles available Global IME works fine with Korean online databases PDF format full-text files available Free trial online service offers

10. Free Trial Services Offered from three Korean DB vendors for initial 6 mo. –Nuri Media: KRpia & DBpia –Dongbang Media: EncyKorea & Korea AtoZ –KSI: KISS

11. When you have online DBs.. No installation needed No Korean Windows required No special software needed, except Global IME Global IME is good enough for searching Easy access Convenience

12. In 2003 … Expanded free trial services until June 30, 2003 Web-based Survey on usage of Korean Studies online databases during Jan.-Mar. 2003

13. After the survey and the trial services … Not much technical problems reported Usage statistics available from the vendors Many recommendations from users Consensus among UC Korean Studies Librarians for consortial purchases of Korean online databases

14. KSI online statistics

15. UCLA EAL homepage

16. So, finally decided to purchase/subscribe Korean Online databases as a group again…

17. Experiences on Korean Online Database group purchases in 2003 …

18. Again, what I dreamed was… Sharing costs Getting more bargaining power Collaborating among Korean Studies Librarians, UC-wide as well as Nation-wide Easy access Time and energy savings

19. But, still problems … But, still problems …

20. Technical Problems Proxy server connection Computer configuration at home Not easy to help users’ home access problems Han’gul typing through Global IME (not familiar with Korean keyboard mapping)

21. Communication Problems Time difference between Korean vendors and US libraries Hard to communicate with the vendors, if you don’t know them in person Users’ searching technique problems for Korean words

22. Many Thanks to… Jaeyong Chang (UC Berkeley) Hee Sook Shin (Columbia Univ.) Yunah Sung (Univ. of Michigan)

23. Any questions? Thank you!