• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.45-66
• /
• 2017

To resolve the problem that multicultural people in Korea suffer from difficulties especially with prejudice and discrimination, it is necessary to raise the cultural diversity in communities in Korea through cultivating multicultural awareness among non-multicultural people. In this vein, public libraries, as cultural exchange institutes, can affect multicultural awareness of the people. This study investigated how characteristics of public libraries and their local communities are related to the users' multicultural awareness. The study found that multicultural awareness of library users was significantly influenced by the characteristics of public libraries but not by the characteristics of communities. It is suggested that public libraries should consider cultural diversity on overall library services for their general users to support their multicultural awareness.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.77-99
• /
• 2023

This study aims to quantitatively assess collection and circulation data of one small library in an area where multicultural users are concentrated and draw policy implications on improving multicultural services for public libraries. The Ansan Multicultural Small Library was selected for examining the library's collection and circulation usages from 2016 to 2022. The numbers of collection and circulation, collection turnover rates and use factors were calculated by year, language, and KDC subject. The result of this study presents the empirical evidence drawn from users' circulation usage, which can be a basis for leading to valid collection development and multicultural service policies.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.77-100
• /
• 2014

This study aims to investigate the perception of public library users, who are local residences, on the multi-cultural services in public libraries using a series of statistical analyses on a questionnaire survey. The objectives of multi-cultural policies by Korean government are to foster assimilation of the multi-cultural people, social unification of Korean (local) communities, and cultural diversity in the communities. The results from the analyses show that the multi-cultural services in public libraries are understood from the unification and assimilation point of views, and that the perception of the multi-cultural services in public libraries is affected by the libraries' marketing activities, such as advertisements and participation. For the sustainable provision of the services, we suggest that the libraries would better consider 1) multi-oriented services with cultural diversity, assimilation, and social unification, 2) relationship with other multi-cultural agencies in a community, and 3) the perception of local residences on the services in public libraries.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.103-124
• /
• 2011

The 21st century society is becoming globalized rapidly due to mass immigration and South Korea has become a multicultural nation since 2007 with over one million foreigners living here. Due to these social environmental changes, there was a need to provide multicultural programs and services in public libraries. In order to develop multicultural library services, we need to look into what librarians and users of public libraries know of the existing services. We assumed that comparing the two groups, librarians and users, and establishing a fit model would be the most effective way to provide information. According to the survey, there were differences in understanding between the two groups. By providing services that help fill in the gap, public libraries could be closer to multicultural families, and help them become integrated into Korean society. We have presented a multicultural service model based on the results of the survey.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.213-243
• /
• 2020

The research aims to investigate immigrants', librarians' and multicultural experts' information needs and perception on current multicultural services in Korean libraries, and to suggest the directions for providing multicultural library services. The research collected the data through conducting both in-depth interviews and focus group interviews with immigrants, librarians and multicultural experts. The research found the significant and emergent features on immigrants' and librarians' requests and perception about current library multicultural services. On the analysis of the findings, the research discussed the implications of the policies for library multicultural services and the alternatives to improve library multicultural services and librarians' multicultural competencies.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.253-269
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study is modeling a user-friendly Korean-Japanese thesaurus for internet circumstances. The methodology had two steps: first, the problems were analyzed when multilingual thesaurus is constructed, with review of various multilingual thesauri and interview with multilingual thesaurus constructor in Korea and Japan. Second, collaborative tags were analyzed to differentiate cultural/linguistic background from word usage pattern. As a result, searching thesaurus model was suggested and applied to develop a user-friendly Korean-Japanese thesaurus.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.279-301
• /
• 2011

This study analyzed 138 multicultural programs from 40 libraries during the last two years. The study compares multicultural programs running in Korean libraries with those from American and Canadian libraries which have a long history of multicultural societies. The results are listed below. There is a need for long-running multicultural programs that address the needs of its users even from the planning stages. Programs should include out-reach based running methods, daily life based subjects and contents, and differentiated approaches for different levels and ages of users.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.47-64
• /
• 2009

The world has rapidly become culturally diverse, and Korea has gradually grown into a multicultural society, mainly due to marriage immigrants and foreign laborers, whose number exceeds over one million nationally. Their adjustment and acculturation in Korea, however, dose'nt seem painless and untroubled, and public libraries are in duty to provide multicultural service for these population. Providing useful services on the homepage makes it possible for users to find the information they need without having to visit the actual library. A more detailed research will be conducted by examining the multicultural services provided by the public libraries in Australia, Canada, the United States, and Japan, the leading multicultural societies. The further examination will be conducted on these libraries in terms of four aspects, that is, information, literacy, education, and culture, as declared by Public Library Menifesto. In Korea, translation and interpretation services, homework help, child literacy are necessary services at the public library, Management of independent multicultural site, shared services between Regional Central Library and Community Public Library, cooperation with libraries, government and organization will be helpful to multicultural library services.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.559-578
• /
• 2016

According to the rapid increase of foreign immigrants, South Korea recently has grown more and more interested in the acceptance of cultural diversity in diverse fields at the whole society. Korea Library Association also has sought the way of multicultural service for foreign immigrants in libraries and many previous researches has suggested those. This paper examines the ways in which small community library functions for foreign immigrants, analyzing on the case of multicultural library located in Wongok-dong, Ansan-si, where about 80% population of residents are foreign immigrants. Ansan multicultural library has two functions in the community. One is the educational place for helping immigrants' settlement and adaptation of South Korea. The other is the cultural place for social integration between immigrants and South Koreans based on mutual understanding and communication. Ultimately this paper shows how values small library in the community has significantly for foreign immigrants.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.199-209
• /
• 2020

This study was a descriptive study performed to identify factors affecting medical satisfaction in multicultural members. The survey participants were 301 multicultural members in A city. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Independent t-tests, One-way ANOVA, and Stepwise multiple regression analysis with the SPSS 14.0 program. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the predictors of satisfaction among the medical staff were satisfaction with age and health insurance, which accounted for 28% of all variance. Predictors of satisfaction with the medical environment were age and jobs, which accounted for 17% of all variance. Predictors of satisfaction with medical expenses were multicultural form, educational level, and jobs, which accounted for 33% of all variance. These results suggest that we need to develop and implement strategies and programs that can enhance satisfaction with medical use among multicultural members.