Library Watch
The Depository Library of Chinese Publications Website Completed its Upgrading
The Depository Library of Chinese Publications website recently completed its upgrading, acquiring such operational functions as library resources retrieval, the validation of CIP numbers, Chinese publishers’ directory searching and the application of ISBNs, as well as the cataloging of books in print.
It is reported that the website is based on the needs of the book trade, with a total of 25 sections. In addition to the conventional sections, it has also established several special sections, such as those representing the Book Collection Research Center, including Publication Culture, Collections, and Publication Solicitation News, showcasing the library’s rich collection of publications and research results. Such sections as Publications Management Business Processing, Cataloging of Books in Print and Publications Collection represent the Book Management Center, guiding publishers to conduct the application of ISBNs, replace the publisher prefix, and supply the books in print cataloging data. 
In addition to the detailed guide to how to apply for ISBNs and handle CIP business, the web site also provides the functions for downloading the client terminals of the two major systems, and the files related to the applications of ISBNs and publisher prefixes. In dealing with the problem related to the ISBN digit upgrade, the web site has especially set up the ISBN10 ~ 13 online conversion function, realizing the automatic processing of a large number of business issues.
The Depository Library of Chinese Publications is the most complete and most authoritative of the contemporary publication resource information base. The library was founded in 1950, and currently has a collection of nearly 4 million various publications, including more than 350 million titles (volumes) of books, 270,000 bound volumes of newspapers and periodicals, 200,000 audio-visual products and electronic publications, and 120,000 old posters. There is an annual addition of 170,000 titles of books, 13,000 bound volumes of periodicals, 3,000 bound volumes of newspapers, and 10,000 audio-visual products.