Union Catalogue of books in Western Languages

[<12FELDMAN@CUA.BITNET>]

I recently came across the following information that might be of interest
for those looking for rare books in unlikely locations:
Union Catalogue of Books in Western Languages held by University libraries in
Japan, compiled by Japan's National Center for Science Information System
(NACSIS). To obtain further information with regard to a search one can
send messages by electronic mail to NACSIS@NSF.gov (Internet) or NACSIS@NSF
(Bitnet).  A terminal is available also at the Library of Congress
(call 202-707-5664 for hours).  The NACSIS operator (202-357-7278) is
available for further information from 1 to 4 PM EST weekdays.  I havn't
tried any of this out myself so I can't say anything on what is the end
product. But, being that European works were entering Japan as early as the
sixteenth century, it might be an interesting item to check out.
With regard to my own background, I'm a Ph.D in Anthopology (1971, Penn State)
who, after many years of trying to get a steady job in that subject, has gone
back to graduate school (Catholic University, D.C.) for an MLS.  My own field
work has been in Central America and Spain, with an emphasis on Guatemalan
Indians in the colonial period.   Lawrence H. Feldman