• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.259-280
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• 2013

There has been a dramatic increase in the proportion of temporary employees in LIS fields, due to current trends of restructuring, automation, complete personnel systems, and complete wage systems. This research, therefore, conducted a survey exploring the current status and working environment of the temporary posts in LIS fields, in order to understand and direct the employment prospects of potential librarians. Results show that the average working period of more than half of temporary librarians are between 1-3 years. The total working period as a temporary librarian, including former experiences in their career, were evenly distributed between 1-5 years. Among those, being temporary often persisted, as 32% of temporary librarians stayed in their temporary status for more than 5 years. Second, temporary librarians perceived themselves as working the same hours as regular librarians, having independent or assistant tasks to regular librarians, and having a neutral or larger amount of tasks than regular librarians. Third, temporary librarians are employed and contracted from the work place, generally having contracts of less than 2 years or an open contract, which shows a serious level of job instability. Therefore, we should consider the following: proper remuneration for work of equal value, professional contractors, the supplementation of the total wage system and the number of public employees in the system as well as changing temporary positions to permanent positions and so on.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.93-110
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• 2019

This study surveyed 129 librarians of public libraries in the northwestern region of Seoul to identify harmful factors under the assumption that the work and environmental factors of them would burden their musculoskeletal system and influence their work satisfaction. The results of this study showed that the musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulder, one of the general items, were more frequently observed in women than in men. Secondly, the musculoskeletal symptoms in the arms and elbows, one of the working environment characteristics, were most frequently reported when they worked more than one year and less than three years. The musculoskeletal symptoms in the waist were influenced by the operation method; the librarians of public libraries entrusted to the Office of Education or a local government showed symptoms more frequently. The musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck were affected by working hours; librarians working in the day shift showed neck symptoms more frequently than those working in the night shift. Thirdly, when the characteristics of the work environment were examined, the musculoskeletal symptoms in the hands, wrists, and fingers were highly frequent under all characteristics of the work environment, the musculoskeletal symptoms in the waist were highly frequent under all characteristics of the work environment except for work satisfaction, and the musculoskeletal symptoms in the legs and feet were highly frequent according to the proficiency, work intensity, and physical burden. Fourthly, this study evaluated the differences in musculoskeletal symptoms according to the work satisfaction of individuals. The results revealed that the occurrence frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms for all body parts decreased as work satisfaction increased. Therefore, it will be necessary for the main body of public library operation to improve the work and working environments and enhance the work satisfaction of individuals by reducing the physical burden of the librarian of public libraries through adjusting the work intensity in order for the health of the librarian of public libraries.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.315-341
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• 2022

The goal of this study is to explore and draw implicaitons from international and domestic media and information literacy (MIL) policies and educational systems. To this end, international policy documents issued by UNESCO, IFLA, OECD, and the EU as well as domestic South Korean laws and policies related to MIL and the fuctions of public libraries and related institutions were analyzed. The findings show that international organizations recognize public libraries as institutions that are responsible for providing information access and supporting knowledge sharing for citizens within and outside of formal education systems. Additionally, public libraries are seen as institutions responsible for supporting lifelong learning and civic education, as well as improving media, information, and digital literacy skills of their communities. In South Korea, the Library Act gives public libraries and librarians responsibility for improving citizens' MIL to support the public's right to know and to narrow the information gap. However, the functions of public libraries and librarians in South Korea have been limited or excluded in the domestic MIL policies. This study concludes that public libraries and librarians are responsible for reducing the information gap among citizens and should actively participate in policy development to improve citizens' MIL skills.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.28-28
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• 2001

The second research of "a study of the evaluation indicators in Korean public libraries’ had as Its major objective the identification of Indicators and broad dimensions of public library effectiveness in Korea. The managers and librarians of the 175 public libraries in the sample were asked to rate the performance of their libraries. Factor analysis was used to derive 11 dimensions of effectiveness. The dimensions fit four different models of organizational effectiveness.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.35-55
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• 2012

This study aims to serve as the basis for the librarian training curriculum model for the disability services. To achieve this, a theoretical study was carried out through literature and investigated and analyzed on the disability services of Public Libraries in Seoul and on the status of Library and Information Science curriculum for the disability services in Korea. The research results are summarized as follows: First, only one university and one graduate school in Korea offers a curriculum for training librarians for the disability services. Second, since 2010 a continuing education program for librarians in charge of the disability service has been offered every year by the National Library of Korea, Librarians who completed this course have been surveyed for their opinions and the results have been reflected in the following course. Third, currently among the disabled users in public library the users with mental retardation, emotional and behavioral disorders, and autism are more than the visually impaired users. Most of the disability service has been a lending for general materials. According to telephone interviews, librarians who actively carry out the disability service need to understand the disability and, more information about operations and planning of cultural program for the disabled users.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.151-178
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to discuss the developmental direction of public library specialization by investigating the library specialization and the perception and opinions on the theme specialized librarians. A total of 69 directors have responded to the survey, and the main result was that while there are difficulties in terms of manpower and budget in providing the specialization services, they have been fully aware of the need and value of the libraries' specialized services and were willing to maintain and develop the services in the future. In addition, more than half of the respondents said that the provision of specialized services and the placement of theme specialized librarians at the public libraries are essential. The qualification for the theme specialized librarians was said to be higher than a master's degree and 4 to 7 years or longer of relevant work experience and must be managed as a national qualification system. Based on these results, suggestions were made that the discussions of the specialization service comprised of the training system for specialized librarians, the establishment and operation of the theme specialized librarian qualification system, and the cooperation with the theme related organizations for the qualitative improvement of the specialization service, among others.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.153-180
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• 2005

Since government institutions begin working 40 hours each week, public libraries in Korea face the challenge of not only enhancing the quality of life for librarians by improving their work environment, but also providing adequate information services for patrons. The purpose of this study is to examine the potential problems which could happen with the 40 working-hours each week in public libraries, and establish the strategies for resolving these problems. For this study, based on the existing research, an attempt is made to review and analyze the following facts: (1) the details of planning for 40 working-hours each week at the government institutions in Korea; (2) the current work environment and service strategies of public libraries in other countries, including the U.S., where librarians work 40 hours each week; (3) the present state of managing public libraries with 40 working-hours each week in Korea; and (4) the strategies of public libraries as a part of cultural infrastructure in preparing for 40 working-hours each week which will be fully implemented at the government institutions in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.155-178
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• 2023

Due to the rapid advancement of information technology and changes in the reading environment, the readers' advisory services provided by public libraries are facing challenges and opportunities. Recognizing the need for public libraries to respond and propel their services forward, this study analyzed the current status of online readers' advisory services offered by public libraries in Korea and discusses areas that require improvement. To achieve this, the study analyzed the online readers' advisory services in 50 public libraries located in Seoul and six metropolitan cities (Incheon, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, Busan, and Ulsan) across seven categories. These categories encompass various aspects, such as announcing reading programs and new books, identifying and addressing reader needs, developing content by librarians, generating content by readers, providing guidance on external reading information, connecting with professional book review databases and online websites, and utilizing social media services. Through this analysis, the study identified areas for improvement to enhance online readers' advisory services in public libraries and ultimately improve reader satisfaction. It suggested enhancing activities such as librarians' book recommendations and reviews for individual readers, reader participation, and interaction.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.61-93
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• 2007

This study aims at presenting the scheme for operation of reading classroom programs through analysis of present situation of reading education programs in public libraries. To collect data for analyzing the present situation, the plan and its report in relation to operation of reading classroom programs in 22 public libraries, implemented in winter, 2007, were used. In addition, questionnaire surveys to the librarians in charge of reading classroom programs in 22 public libraries were also carried out. As the remedies to problems of the program operations were presented in identification and participation, contents of education, manpower, reeducation of librarians, budgets, facilities, and work structure. The scheme for operation of reading classroom programs for keeping the characteristics and tradition of public libraries needs to develop an operation manual for reading classroom programs.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.51-80
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• 2016

Recently in accordance with Government 3.0 policy, public data is being released in large quantities and entrepreneurs are succeeding in utilizing this policy to develop products and apps that increase the convenience of the people to use the information. As libraries belong to the public domain, libraries must open a variety of data to the public in accordance with the Government 3.0 policy, and make the various applications utilizing the data. Therefore, this study investigated the government 3.0 Policy, classified the success cases of the applications according to specific criteria, identified data having high availability from the library data, and tried to discover data that can increase the utilization value through the library from other subject areas. An awareness survey was conducted of librarians of the University and Special Library and the results are as follows: First, librarians' awareness about the Government 3.0 was more than the average of 3.6, whereas for the initiatives presented in 3.0. Second, those responding that the government 3.0 policy would have a positive effect on libraries were six times higher than those responding negatively. Third, the respondents listed the ways that the policy can be effectively utilized in the library, in order, as providing to the user public open data classified by topic, providing user education about utilizing method of public open data, and privacy-related user education regarding open data utilization. Fourth, there was overall agreement by the respondents that public open data would be helpful in improving the library's changing role and image, with 60% responding in a positive way.