February 4, 2020
UW’s East Asia Library to be renamed the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi East Asia Library
The Tateuchi East Asia LibraryDennis Wise/University of Washington
There’s more to celebrate this Lunar New Year at University of Washington’s East Asia Library. The UW today announced a $6 million gift from the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation to the East Asia Library. In recognition of this gift, the library will be renamed the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi East Asia Library.
“The East Asia Library has a long tradition of innovation and excellence supporting East Asia research and scholarship at the University. We are grateful to the Tateuchi Foundation for helping ensure that the legacy continues. We are pleased to rename the library in honor of the Tateuchis,” said Lizabeth (Betsy) Wilson, vice provost for Digital Initiatives and dean of University Libraries.
Tateuchi East Asia Library Director Zhijia Shen, Dean of Libraries Betsy Wilson , Provost Mark Richards and Tateuchi Foundation Administrator Dan Asher celebrate the library’s new name.Sandy Hawley/University of Washington
The Tateuchis, both UW alumni and founders of their namesake foundation, have a long history with the UW. As students, they studied together in the East Asia Library. Since 2008, the Foundation has supported many East Asia Library projects, including acquisition and preservation of rare items, cataloging of thousands of Japanese materials, and underwriting visiting Japanese librarians from Keio University.
This naming gift will create a new endowment for programs, space and operating enhancements. The endowment — the second largest endowment in the history of UW Libraries — will provide support for mission-critical initiatives that will help transform and sustain the library as a global destination for research, teaching and learning in East Asia studies.
“The East Asia Library has been essential in helping to define the University of Washington as a leader in East Asia studies. The Tateuchi Foundation is proud to support the excellent work of the East Asia Library team — their dedication, knowledge and leadership will guide the work ahead, enhancing the University’s East Asia research and resources in new and exciting ways,” said Dan Asher, administrator for the Tateuchi Foundation.
In 1937, UW Libraries received its first official funding for collections in East Asian languages in what was then the Oriental Reading Room of Suzzallo Library. Now located in Gowen Hall, the collection has grown to more than 800,000 items consisting of invaluable research materials, many of which are not available in the countries where they originally were produced. The library is among the top East Asian libraries in North America providing a regional, national and international information base for research and teaching about East Asia. Its collection is the fourth-most circulated among UW libraries, with services that support students and faculty across all three campuses. In addition to working closely with the Department of Asian Languages & Literature and Jackson School of International Studies, the work of the library extends across all disciplines related to East Asia – from art and architecture to business, public health and law. More than 60,000 students, international researchers and community members visit the East Asia Library each year.
“We are deeply grateful for the friendship and unwavering support of the Tateuchi Foundation. We have a shared vision of libraries as a bridge for preserving knowledge and increased cultural understanding. This gift will help us continue achieving toward that vision, ensuring that the Tateuchi East Asia Library remains a center of excellence now and for generations to come,” said Zhijia Shen, director of the newly renamed Tateuchi East Asia Library.
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For more information, contact Zhijia Shen at 206-543-5635 or zhijia@uw.edu.
Tag(s): UW Libraries
