The Korean Heritage Library was established in April, 1986 with the aim of building comprehensive collections in all areas of Korean studies, including history, culture, language, literature, philosophy, thought, sociology, politics, economics, and art. In its first 13 years, it has emerged as one of six leading Korean collections in North America. Its current collection includes more than over 46,000 books, 1,600 serials (in 14,000 volumes), 1,500 videocassettes & DVDs, 2,330 reels of microfilm, 240 maps (including 180 rare maps), 110 CD ROMs, several hundred photographs, and significant holdings of archival materials. The KHL's particular strengths are in Korean newspapers, Korean-American and immigration history, Korean cinema, journalism and mass media, Korean independence movements, the Korean War, and local materials of the Cholla-do region.

Unique among academic East Asian libraries in North America, USC's library has placed its greatest emphasis on building its Korean collection. While a typical Korean collection in this country comprises only about 5-10% of East Asian holdings, the Korean Heritage Library represents over 40% of all of our East Asian holdings, followed by Chinese and Japanese. This is a reflection of the importance that Korean Studies holds at the University of Southern California.

** Please visit an article by Korea Foundation Newsletter. (Nov. 2003, vol.12 no.4)
English: http://www.kf.or.kr/newsletter/english/contents.asp?vol=40&no=439
Korean: http://www.kf.or.kr/newsletter/korean/contents.asp?vol=39⟨=Korean&no=428