• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.153-178
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• 2012

This study covers the basic information of the small libraries nationwide, holding materials, facilities/equipment, human resources, budget, usage/users, and service etc. The survey is divided into 4 steps to produce accurate statistical data and analyze it. As a result, total 3,349 small libraries meet the criteria of the Library Act in 2010. Their holding materials, facilities/equipment, human resources, budget, usage, service program are lack of providing the knowledge information and reading culture service, which is defined in the Library Act. In particular, the majority of small libraries(80%) are in poor condition to operate library facilities/equipment, budget, and their operation. This study proposes some suggestions to overcome the poor condition and to make small libraries prosperous in the near future.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.1-24
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• 2023

In a situation with reducing numbers of students and local universities in crisis, this study aims to analyze collection and loan usage data in small-sized university libraries and present evidence for guiding their collection development policy. The data was collected from Rinfo from 2010 to 2022 regarding the numbers of enrolled students, collected books, book loans, and electronic resources and compared the average values of entire 4-year university libraries to those of small-sized ones by year and region. Results show that while the numbers of enrolled students and book loans have decreased in both of groups, the number of collected books has increased 30% more in small groups and the amount of electronic resource use has increased enormously as well. Correlation analysis presents that both of groups have the consistent result. It is suggested that small-sized university libraries should highly increase their budget ratio to electronic resources for collection development and build a consortium by university's speciality for mutual use of electronic resources.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.33-48
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• 2010

The study aimed to identify current situations of Korean church libraries. The results from 22 church libraries are investigated in terms of some factors such as material organization, quantity of materials, facilities, staffs, budgets, public services, users and classification systems. Current libraries are very small in its facility, quantity of the materials and the budget, and lack of the full-time librarian. Recently, children's libraries are established among small churches, and their budgets and public services are stable. Suggestions for revitalizing the church libraries are made: the pastor's understanding of the significance of church library for missions' sake, establishment of more church libraries, acquisitions of various non-book materials, budget security, necessity for a full-time librarian, provision of various types of services and cooperations among church libraries.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.71-94
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• 2022

While small libraries have steadily increased in quantity, parts of qualitative growth such as lack of manpower and poor operation have been pointed out as problems. Accordingly, with the aim of establishing a foundation for linkage and cooperation between public libraries and small libraries, the small library itinerant librarians project has been promoted since 2010, and its scale has been continuously expanding. However, the lack of manpower and poor operation still remain tasks to be solved, and the poor treatment and job environment of itinerant librarians have not improved. In this context, this study aims to examine the problems of small libraries and job problems experienced by itinerant librarians and to find ways to improve the job environment of itinerant librarians based on this. Through the analysis of previous studies, small libraries and net companies were investigated, and in-depth interviews were conducted with participants related to itinerant librarians and small libraries. Through interview data analysis, a total of 17 meaning topics were extracted, including 'lack of work authority', 'lack of work manual', 'lack of communication, community', 'lack of integrated operating system', 'poor treatment and working environment', 'malicious user', and 'lack of belonging'. Based on this, four improvement measures were proposed, including the improvement of the job authority and standard regulations of itinerant librarians, the establishment of a community organization, job security guarantees, and job education reinforcement.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.29-48
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• 2007

The number of public libraries in Korea has been dramatically increased over the last 40 years. since the first Korean Libraries Act was passed in 1963. However, the public library infrastructure is still inadequate and there is a big difference between the number of public libraries in Korea and western countries. This result proves that Korea's method of enhancing its public library infrastructure has not been effective. Therefore, this study suggests the building of small, rather than large. public libraries as a more effective means of enhancing the public library infrastructure in Korea - the method adopted in Great Britain.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.59-78
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• 2014

Since 2010, the itinerant librarian project has aimed to support small libraries and to establish cooperative systems between public libraries and small libraries. However, the project has been criticized for several issues, although there are some positive evaluations. In this context this study aims to analyze various issues of the project and to provide alternative strategies. Based on analyzing previous studies the study discusses the concept and social background of itinerant librarians. Furthermore, it explores the issues of the project, including low awareness and employment instability of itinerant librarians through the interviews with participants of the project. As a result, the study provides six alternative strategies to improve the project.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.257-273
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• 2011

This study aimed to identify the problems by analyzing the actual condition based on the legal requirements among Saemaul mini-libraries in Busan Metropolitan City. The results are like these. There were 154 Saemaul mini-Libraries. Of them, the rate of Small-Libraries which satisfied the requirements of a municipal library to the Library Act was 0%(0) in part of building floor space, 1%(1) in part of a reading room, 40%(59) in part of the data in a library and 31%(45) in the number of books to be supplemented per year. Mini-library which satisfied as the requirements for a small-scale public library was 37%(58) in part of the floor space, 66%(101) in part of a reading room, and 73%(112) in part of data in a library. 50%(77) of the mini-library was open more than 5 days per week. 52% (80) Mini-libraries was open for more than 5 hours per day. mini-library with permanent professionals(librarians) was only 1%(2). Mini-libraries of 99%(152) were non-professional workers(no librarians). For the average budget per year, 81%(127) spent less than 10 million won. 5%(5) received government subsidies. The mini-library of 74%(114) spent less than 5 million won on average for purchasing materials. Most of mini-libraries didn't meet the requirements of small-scale libraries to be private libraries or public libraries. It was also found that mini-libraries had various features on the location.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.151-170
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to analyze performance factors of the school and community libraries in its beginning, growth, development, and expansion to identify the assignment of the movement at the present stage. In this study, we performed interviews with those concerned with the school community and library movement and collected various relevant literature. The school and community libraries movement can be divided into five stages including beginning, growth, development, expansion, and turning point. Therefore performance and significance of school and community libraries shown in the history of the movement may be summarized as follows. First, school and community libraries were established mainly in areas isolated from cultural benefits, contributing to resolving problems such as a lack of public libraries and concentration of small libraries in certain areas. Second, the movement promoted the operation of school libraries by providing books for small-sized elementary schools in farming & fishing villages and mountain villages, libraries that were insufficient in books. Third, the movement utilized the minimal personnel, books, and spaces of school libraries to provide library services to community residents, securing permanence of library services, if nothing else. Fourth, school and community libraries played the role of local community-based libraries, intensifying the community spirit of residents and vitalizing communities.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.255-294
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• 1999

This paper tries to interpret the processes of establishing the public libraries in Changwon City and its changing sociological roles. The roles of the public libraries are changing according to the aspects of the communities. Thus roles of the libraries in Changwon have also changed with the various changes in Korean society. The periods are divided into three: before the declaration June 29(1980-1987); the appearances of civil libraries and local community libraries(1988-1998); the maeul (which means small community) libraries that the citizens have established and participated. By the three periods this paper interprets the processes of establishing the libraries and their changing in Changwon City.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.77-97
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to find a new role of the small libraries in the community as the center of the community through an investigation of the case of Atti library in Daegu. To achieve the study purpose, in-depth interview was conducted with the original members of the Atti library. The interview data were analyzed using a qualitative method. According to the study results, human networks of the community were solidified and expanded through the Atti library. Furthermore, the community people could have more confidence in solving the problems of the community and the community could grow further through the Atti library. The small libraries should think about their new roles as the center of the community beyond the role of the public libraries.