• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.75-98
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• 2013

This study aimed to identify the problems of toy libraries by investigating and analyzing the identity and administration of toy library and so to propose the approaches to improve the legal and administrative status of toy library. In accordance with the analysis, only 9.8%(5) of 51 toy libraries in Korea was established on the basis of the Libraries Act. Most toy libraries were established and operated without any basis on legal institutions or toy library ordinances of local authorities(45%). The purposes of establishment were different from the identity of toy library specified in the provisions of Clause 1, 2 and 3, Article 2, Libraries Act, as 82.4% of toy libraries was established for rental of toys, providing game data and cultural activity service and distributing game programs. For the legal registration standards based on the Libraries Act, it was found that 96.1% exceeded the floorage requirements, 92.3% exceeded the seating requirement and 45.1% exceeded the collection requirement on the basis of the small libraries. Only 13.7% employed the librarians. Next, most toy libraries secured just 70% of the required budget. In conclusion, this study proposed the local authorities to establish the ordinances related to toy library on the basis of the Libraries Act. Next, it was also proposed for the toy libraries to register themselves in accordance with the Libraries Act for securing the legal status. Finally, the local authorities need to rationalize and support the budgets for rationalizing the administration of toy libraries.