• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.79-94
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• 2003

This study is attempt to find out the justification of the contracting-out for public library considering by the results from estimation about public service governed through contacting-out. For this study I made use of both integrated estimation of public services and evaluation of library service, which have beeing managed by contracting-out. Finally, I realized that attempting the contracting-out for public library may has many limitations due to the characteristics of library service and the failure to achieve the satisfaction of hon in public service.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.51-75
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to analyze the performance of contracting out public libraries. in order to contribute to the promotion of their effective operation in Korea. Three public libraries which are currently operated by 'contracting out' are selected to be reviewed for this study. Their performance are analyzed by means of literature search, questionnaires, and on-the-spot-survey. Investigated in detail are the following issues: First, the need for and background of 'contracting out' public library services, and their present state in Korea: Second. the pros and cons of 'contracting out' public library services; Third, the outcomes of public library services which have been currently contracted out. Finally, based on the aforementioned findings, a future model of 'contracting out' public library services is proposed, Also suggested are the strategies for furthering the effective management of public libraries.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.383-404
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• 2007

The purpose of this research is to analyze the trend and performances of contracting out the management of public libraries in Korea, in order to help promote the effectiveness and efficiencies of their operations. In this research, Investigated in detail are the following issues: First, the need for and background of contracting out public library services and their present state in Korea; Second, the pros and cons of contracting out public library services; and finally, based on the aforementioned findings, a future model of 'contracting out' public library services is proposed in order to further the effective management of public libraries in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.3-26
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• 2008

In most countries the public library run as a public institution and a symbolic icon for a democratic society. Therefore public library's publicity is absolutely essential value and profit should not be made on their maintenance. More recently, as the government's budget spending increase, however, many local governments contract out to manage an entire library or new library system. Three main reasons could be identified. Firstly, alternative solutions for maintenance were supposed to save money. Secondly, contracting out provides an opportunity to improve the quality of service delivery. Thirdly, central government and some local authorities had very strong ideological reasons for contracting out of the public libraries. However, nothing proved that alternative maintenance had caused lower cost and better services in Korea. In this paper, the reasoning of a move from the traditional form of public library governance is discussed, as well as the advantages and disadvantages contracting out of the public libraries, and suggested various practical solutions in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.7-17
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• 1998

The term exchange and abolition and amalgamation and contracting-out of the public library is brought in Korea recently. That's background is discussed, specially discusses on the subject of contracting-out and proposes a plan of contracting-out of the public library in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.295-316
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• 2015

This study analyzed the policy making process by finding factors of a back-in phenomenon appeared in contracting out of public library using advocacy coalition framework. The coalitions were divided into 'agreement of direct management', 'opposition of direct management' and 'keep the contract out'. Considering their belief and activity, to share core belief could make a change of secondary belief. It suggests that activating public sphere is necessary for enforcement of their strategies throughout the library policy.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.45-73
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• 2013

This study purported to evaluate the usefulness and feasibility of "Guidelines for contracting-out of public library services (2011)." The Guidelines have been developed by the Culture and Library Forum to provide principles and standards for local governments considering the contracting-out of public library services in their district. The research data were collected by conducting in-depth interviews with 17 local government officers who are responsible for the contracting-out of public library operations and two focus group interviews with eight directors of public libraries contracted out. It was found that the interview participants in both government and library sides generally perceived the Guidelines useful, yet their perceptions of feasibility in outsourcing were largely pessimistic due to local politics and many other hindrances in society. The study suggested specific directions to further improve the Guidelines' usefulness and feasibility.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.5-24
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• 2010

The public library is the local centre and gateway of knowledge and information. Therefore, the library should be funded and operated by local government and the governing body will be responsible for matters of policy of the library. However, recently public libraries in Korea have faced enormous policy challenges such as the damage of its identity, outsourcing or contracting-out of management, and the general chaos of its administrative system. This paper aims to analyze the current level of infrastructure and policies of public libraries and to review the wrong path and the right path of library policies focused on establishing a library foundation and outsourcing library management in Seoul and Incheon.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.271-294
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• 2012

This study is designed to evaluate the service quality of public libraries according to managing entities by LibQUAL+ and to devise ways to improve problems based on comparison and analysis of the differences in the service qualities. To achieve this, four public libraries in Seoul according to the managing entities were investigated. They consisted of libraries of public corporations, cultural centers, foundations and universities. Minimum service quality level, desired service quality level and perceived service quality was analyzed based on nine-point Lickertis scale. A survey was employed and consisted of twenty-two items. The results showed that current level of service met the minimum level, yet failed to reach their desired service level. The study suggested that public libraries contracting out to private sector need to actively apply users' demands and the changing environment of libraries, and continue to strive to provide public library users with high quality service through efforts of evaluating and improving the services for their users.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.335-356
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• 2021

This study analyzed the trends and current status in public libraries in Korea for 14 years, focusing on the overview and facilities of public libraries using public library statistics from 2007 to 2020. The research data were collected from the National Library Statistics System and compared with the population and GDP per capita of Korea. As a result, the number of public libraries in Korea is 1,172 as of 2020, which has nearly doubled compared to 2007, and it was found that this increase has a very strong correlation with GDP per capita and population. There were 229 contracting out public libraries operating by the local government in 2020, and the contracting out rate increased from 18.8% in 2007 to 25.1%. Although the site area of public libraries varies greatly from library to library, it tends to get larger over time. The total floor area of public libraries operating by the Office of Education is larger than that of public libraries operating by the local government, and it gradually increases over time, but the total floor area of public libraries operating by the local government have decreased slightly. The total number of seats in the library is decreasing in all libraries, and the reading seats for children and the reading seats for the elderly and the disabled tend to slightly increase.