DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

A Study on the Development Direction of Public and Small Libraries' Support and Collaboration to Resolve the Knowledge Information Divide: Based on Interviews with People in Charge of Running Small Libraries in City D

지식정보격차 해소를 위한 공공도서관과 작은도서관 지원 및 연계 발전방향 연구 - D시 작은도서관 운영 관련 담당자 면담조사를 기반으로 -

  • 이성숙 (충남대학교 문헌정보학과 ) ;
  • 이지원 (대구가톨릭대학교 문헌정보학과)
  • Received : 2025.08.16
  • Accepted : 2025.09.19
  • Published : 2025.09.30

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the support and collaboration experiences of public library and small library staff involved in activities to bridge the knowledge and information divide, and to understand their perceptions of the expected benefits, feasible areas of activity, and challenges to be addressed when collaborating. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 12 participants: public librarians, small library operators, and policy officials in City D. Interview results revealed that participants cited small libraries’ superior accessibility and efficient staffing as key benefits of collaboration. They also identified potential for services targeting the elderly, low-income children, and persons with disabilities. Based on these findings, six development directions were derived: (1)Activating individual library services, (2)Developing specialized strategies tailored to the characteristics of marginalized groups, (3) Establishing a support system and guidelines for public libraries, (4) Improving recognition of small libraries' public nature and enhancing operator capacity-building education, (5) Achieving self-sufficiency for small libraries through securing professional staff and budgets, (6) Creating an integrated online service environment. The findings of this study can serve as foundational data for establishing support and linkage policies between public libraries and small libraries aimed at bridging the knowledge and information divide.

본 연구는 지식정보격차 해소 활동을 위한 공공도서관과 작은도서관 담당자들의 지원 및 연계 경험을 조사하고, 연계 시 기대되는 이점, 활동 가능 영역, 해결과제에 대한 인식을 파악하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 이를 위해 D시의 공공도서관 사서, 작은도서관 운영자, 정책 담당자 총 12명을 대상으로 반구조화 면담을 진행하였다. 면담 결과, 참여자들은 작은도서관의 우수한 접근성과 효율적인 인원 모집을 연계의 주요 이점으로 언급했으며, 고령자, 저소득층 아동, 장애인을 위한 서비스의 일정 부분 가능성을확인하였다. 이러한 면담 결과를 바탕으로 다음과 같은 여섯 가지 발전 방향을 도출하였다: (1) 개별 도서관 서비스 활성화, (2) 소외계층 특성에 맞는 특성화 전략 마련, (3) 공공도서관의 지원 체계 정비 및 가이드라인 구축, (4) 작은도서관의 공공성 인식 개선 및 운영자 역량 강화 교육 활성화, (5) 작은도서관의 전문 인력 및 예산 확보를 통한 자립, (6) 통합 온라인 서비스 환경 마련이다. 본 연구의 결과는 지식정보격차 해소 활동을 위한 공공도서관과 작은도서관의 지원 및 연계 정책 수립에 기초 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.

Keywords

References

  1. Bae, Kyungjae (2021a). A study on the current state and improvements of the public library services for older adult in Korea. Journal of the Korean Society for Information Management, 38(3), 199-214. https://doi.org/10.3743/kosim.2021.38.3.199
  2. Bae, Kyungjae (2021b). A study of the spatial composition strategy for older adults in the public library. Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science, 55(3), 155-170. https://doi.org/10.4275/kslis.2021.55.3.155
  3. Chang, Durk-Hyun (2012). A study on the public library service agenda for the core information-poor in Busan metro area. Journal of the Korean Biblia Society for Library and Information Science, 23(3), 193-210. https://doi.org/10.14699/kbiblia.2012.23.3.193
  4. Cho, Yong-Wan (2007). Analysis of the activities of public libraries for closing the information divide in Korea. Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society, 38(4), 167-186. https://doi.org/10.16981/kliss.38.4.200712.167
  5. Jeon, Nam-Hee (2021). Public library and social justice: reading guidance for multicultural children. Korean Journal of Political Science, 29(2), 1-32. https://doi.org/10.34221/KJPS.2021.29.2.1
  6. Jo, Miseul (2024). A Study on the Current Operation and Improvement of Elderly Programs in Public Libraries in Incheon. Master's thesis, Incheon National University.
  7. Kim, Boil (2022). A study on needs analysis of stakeholders in public library service for persons with disabilities. Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society, 53(4), 45-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.16981/kliss.53.4.202212.45
  8. Kim, Insuk (2022). An Investigation of Collections Management Practices of Multicultural Resources in Public Libraries of Gyeonggi-Province. Master's thesis, Myongji University.
  9. Kim, Ji-Sun (2020). A Case Study on the Library Anxiety of Multicultural Users: Focused on the Public libraries in Incheon Metropolitan City. Master's thesis, Incheon National University.
  10. Kim, Myung-Sook (2023). A study on elderly services by elderly in public libraries in a post-aged society: focusing on the Busan metropolitan city public library. Journal of the Korean Biblia Society for Library and Information Science, 34(1), 75-96. https://doi.org/10.14699/kbiblia.2023.34.1.075
  11. Kim, Soo-Wan & Lee, Sung-Sook (2022). A study of the current status of older adults' digital literacy programs in public libraries and improvement plans. Journal of the Korean Society for Information Management, 39(4), 49-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.3743/KOSIM.2022.39.4.049
  12. Kim, Young-Seok (2023). A study on the provision of welfare service information in public libraries. Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science, 57(1), 387-408. https://doi.org/10.4275/KSLIS.2023.57.1.387
  13. Lee, Eun-Chul & Sim, Hyo-Jung (2008). Basic study for analysis of public libraries contribution for resolving the gap in knowledge and information. Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science, 42(2), 309-325. https://doi.org/10.4275/KSLIS.2008.42.2.309
  14. Lee, Juengeun (2022). Exploring the experiences of public library librarians who operate services for people with developmental disabilities. The Korea Journal of Learning Disabilities, 19(1), 81-109. http://dx.doi.org/10.47635/KJLD.2022.19.1.81
  15. Lee, Min-Ji (2023). A Study on the Relationship between Seniors' Participation Experience in Information Literacy Education Programs in Public Libraries, Program Satisfaction and Quality of Life. Master's thesis, Sungkyunkwan University.
  16. Lee, Sung-Sook & Lee Ji-Won (2025). Survey on perceptions of public and small libraries' support and collaboration to close the knowledge information divide: focusing on public librarians and small library operators in city D. Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society, 56(2), 27-54. https://doi.org/10.16981/kliss.56.2.202506.27
  17. Lee, Yeon-Ok, Chang, Durk-Hyun, & Lee, Seungmin (2022). A study on the development of public library programs for the education of children in the multicultural families. Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society, 53(2), 137-163. http://dx.doi.org/10.16981/kliss.53.2.202206.137
  18. Nam, Young-Joon (2007). A study on revitalization of library service for the alienated class. Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science, 41(4), 49-68. https://doi.org/10.4275/KSLIS.2007.41.4.049
  19. National Library for the Disabled ed. (2024). 2024 Survey on Reading Activities among the Disabled. Seoul: National Library for the Disabled.
  20. National Library of Korea (2011). A Study on the Development of Strategies to Expand Library Services for the Information-Disadvantaged to Bridge the Information Gap. Seoul: National Library of Korea.
  21. Oh, Euikyung & Park, Ok Nam (2022). A study on information needs of senior users and service improvement in public library. Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science, 56(1), 449-472. https://doi.org/10.4275/KSLIS.2022.56.1.449
  22. Park, Chang-Gyu (2024). Accessibility Assessment of Mobile Web in Public Libraries for People with Disabilities. Master's thesis, Daegu University.
  23. Park, Hyeon-Seon (2023). A Plan to Revitalize Services for the Deaf Users of Public Libraries in Korea. Master's thesis, Chung-Ang University.
  24. Park, Hye-Ree (2017). An analysis of factors influencing use of knowledge and information services for vulnerable classes in public libraries. Proceedings of the 24th Academic Conference, 8, 59-64.
  25. Republic of Korea. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (2023). National Library Statistics System. Available: https://www.libsta.go.kr/
  26. Yeo, Haengrim (2019). Analysis of Multicultural Service Cooperation in Daegu Metropolitan City. Master's thesis, Kyungpook National University.
  27. Yoon, Hee-Yoon (2012). Strategies of the knowledge and information services for vulnerable classes in public libraries. Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society, 43(2), 53-75. https://doi.org/10.16981/kliss.43.2.201206.53
  28. Lenstra, N., Oguz, F., Winberry, J., & Wilson, L. S. (2021). Supporting social connectedness of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of small and rural public libraries. Public Library Quarterly, 41(6), 596-616. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2021.1970446
  29. Sherman, M., Bowen, E., Norlander, R. J., & Brucker, J. L. (2023). 7 Steps to Effective Community Engagement: Evidence From Small & Rural Libraries. Chicago: American Library Association & Knology Ltd.