PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — On Thursday, May 3, 2012, Dr. Li Wang of Brown University Library will give a talk entitled “Emerging China’s Publishing Soft Power: Trends, Challenges, and Strategies for Academia” at 4pm in the Joukowsky Forum, Watson Institute at 111 Thayer Street. This talk is sponsored by Brown University’s Year of China.
In the past decade, China’s booming publishing industry has dramatically increased Chinese scholarly resources. China now produces more books than any other country. The growth of the publishing enterprise is a feature of China’s cultural influence and “soft power.” Based on an investigation of recent trends in the field, this lecture aims to profile the array of formats in the changing landscape of Chinese scholarly resources. Dr. Li Wang will provide statistical analysis and summaries of the development of the publishing industry, the increasing output of books and serials publishing, and the growth of multimedia products and mobile networks. He will address the implications of these changes on Library collections and academic research, and encourage an understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by the “soft power” of Chinese publishing in a global information age.
Li Wang has been serving as Curator of East Asian Collection at Brown University Library since 2000. He received his B.A. in Philosophy from Peking University, an M.A. in Humanities from Western Kentucky University, and an M.A. in Library and Information Science and Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Iowa. He is currently a Research Associate of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University and the Oversea Research Fellow of Beijing Foreign Studies University, and the Chair of the Committee for Scholarly Activities of the Society for Chinese Studies Librarians. Dr. Wang’s research interests and publications include Chinese philosophy and religion, especially Daoism, library and information studies, the history of book publishing, and Chinese cultural studies, especially martial arts.
The Year of China explores the rich culture, economy, and politics of Greater China, investigating its past, examining its present, and contemplating its future. Throughout the 2011-2012 academic year, Brown will host public lectures, cultural events, academic conferences, and exhibits in an integrated exploration of China. For more information about the program and upcoming events, please visit: www.brown.edu/yearofchina
The Brown University Library is home to more than 6.8 million print items, plus a multitude of electronic resources and expanding digital archives serving the teaching, research, and learning needs of Brown students and faculty, as well as scholars from around the country and the world.
Contact: Jennifer Braga | 401-863-6913
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