I suspect the materials from China might be part of the Confucius Institute mailings – see http://english.hanban.org/. I know that other foreign countries like South Korea and Turkey have engaged in similar initiatives. Some well-intentioned person may have just assumed your library would take the materials.
Sally
From: acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org [mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org] On Behalf Of Kliever, Julia
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2017 10:37 AM
To: acqnet_at_lists.ala.org
Subject: RE: [ALCTS-acqnet] Strange boxes from Taiwan
We, too, receive mystery shipments from China occasionally, although they show up unannounced, since our mailroom simply receives them and passes them to us.
We assume they get our contact info from our website. It appears to me that the books are an awkward attempt to share culture – I don’t quite want to label it “propaganda”. The last set we got were from China, but were written in Korean, according to a faculty member who specializes in Asian Studies. He was equally puzzled as to why they were sent to us, but took some of them.
We both agreed they were not scholarly works, and did not fit in with our Collection Development policy. I put them our free book cart if there are no other takers.
-Julie
Julie Kliever
Commons Librarian for Research, Education and Collections
Collections Services
Phillips Memorial Library
Providence College
One Cunningham Square
Providence RI 02918
jkliever_at_providence.edu<mailto:jkliever_at_providence.edu>
401.865.2241
www.facebook.com/pclibrary<http://www.facebook.com/pclibrary>
From: acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org> [mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org] On Behalf Of malnati_at_ucc.edu<mailto:malnati_at_ucc.edu>
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2017 10:23 AM
To: acqnet_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet_at_lists.ala.org>
Subject: RE: [ALCTS-acqnet] Strange boxes from Taiwan
Sounds like the beginning of a mystery book. I hope you will keep us posted on what you find out.
Karen
Karen Venturella Malnati
Assistant Librarian
Union County College
MacKay Library
1033 Springfield Avenue
Cranford, NJ 07016
908-709-7027
Malnati_at_ucc.edu<mailto:Malnati_at_ucc.edu>
From: acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org> [mailto:acqnet-request_at_lists.ala.org] On Behalf Of B.E. Swetman
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2017 10:16 AM
To: acqnet_at_lists.ala.org<mailto:acqnet_at_lists.ala.org>
Subject: [ALCTS-acqnet] Strange boxes from Taiwan
Starting in June we have been receiving boxes of books from Taiwan with packing slips almost entirely in Chinese. The address labels show From: Books.com.co.ltd on Chang Chun road Taipei.
I have no idea why we have been getting these packages. As we have no record of any orders with them. They have correct names and addresses. Twice I have received phone calls from DHL express with a recording telling me there is a package on the way.
I think I found them at http://books.com.tw and used Google Translate to read the site and found a form to contact customer service, http://www.books.com.tw/question/inquiry/
I have not had a response, but today I got another call from DHL telling me a package is on the way only a week after the last package.
Nothing has shown up on our library credit card and we have not received any invoices or statements in the mail.
Is anyone familiar with this bookstore and it's method of operation?
Thanks for any help.
Barbara Swetman bswetman_at_hamilton.edu<mailto:bswetman_at_hamilton.edu>
Acquisitions and Serials Librarian voice (315)859-4470
Library and Information Technology Services
Hamilton College
198 College Hill Rd.
Clinton, NY 13323
Received on Fri Aug 25 2017 - 10:57:47 EDT