Palace Library


A Palace Library was a central government agency in imperial China and dynastic Korea, generally in charge of maintaining and archiving the collection of the monarch's documents.

China and Inner Asia

The office was in existence for the most part from the mid-200s CE to 1380. Over the millennia there were 5 names for this office:
In addition to preserving the emperor's official documents, the agency was sometimes also tasked to compile or edit historical records and state calendars. Before the Sui dynasty it also handled documents flowing into and out of the imperial palace, making it interchangeable with the Secretariat. During the late Tang dynasty and Song dynasty the office was largely non-functional and staffed by eminent officials for sinecure purposes.
The office during the Tang dynasty was headed by 1 director and 2 vice directors, and during the Song dynasty by 1 director and 1 vice director. The office was also staffed with assistant directors and assistants. During the Yuan dynasty the office was headed by 4 chief ministers, 2 directors, 2 vice directors, and 2 assistant directors, all eunuchs.

Korea

The office also existed during Goryeo under several names:
In general, the office was staffed by 1 supervisor, 1 director, 1 vice director, 2 assistant directors and 1 assistant.