국내 공공도서관의 복합화 특성 및 경향 분석 = Analysis of the Characteristics and Trends of Public Library Complexification in Korea

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Public libraries, which previously functioned primarily as information providers, have expanded their roles in contemporary society into multifunctional spaces that support citizens’ daily lives through education, culture, leisure, and community activities. With the development of digital technologies and the increasing complexity of user needs, complex facilities integrating diverse functions have emerged, and complex development has been actively pursued for various purposes, including residential, commercial, educational, and cultural uses. In particular, public libraries hold significance as public-purpose complex facilities that can be open to all citizens without user restrictions.

As a result, various attempts at public library complexification have been made in Korea; however, effective complexification has been difficult to achieve due to financial and institutional limitations and the absence of reference standards. Most existing studies have focused on simple program-level complexification within specific regions or individual cases, and no research has systematically analyzed nationwide public library complexification trends, inter-facility linkages, or complexification types over the past decade since 2014. In addition, although the number and diversity of complex public libraries have increased considerably, updated analytical research reflecting these changes has not yet been conducted.

Accordingly, this study analyzes the current combinations of complex facilities in public libraries across Korea as of 2023, redefines the scope and criteria of complex facilities, and identifies the characteristics and patterns of public library complexification through typological classification. Furthermore, a survey was conducted on eight complex public libraries selected for each type to examine the actual operational conditions of complex spaces and to derive conclusions that reflect their practical implications. The purpose of this study is to systematically organize the latest trends in domestic public library complexification and to provide analytical data that can be referred to in future complexification planning by verifying the effectiveness and limitations of each type.

The conclusions of this study are as follows.

1) Public library complexification is overwhelmingly concentrated in the Seoul and Gyeonggi metropolitan areas compared to other metropolitan and provincial regions. In addition, small- and medium-sized libraries in the metropolitan area tend to be complexified with local welfare and convenience functions, whereas large and extra-large libraries in non-metropolitan regions tend to become community-based cultural activity hubs centered on commercial, cultural, sports, and welfare functions.

2) Among the 410 complex public libraries in Korea, approximately 78% are small or medium in scale, representing the highest proportion. Almost all complex libraries adopt a single-complex form combining only one facility, with 91.6% of medium-sized libraries demonstrating this pattern. This phenomenon indicates that the single-complex form in small and medium libraries is the most common type in domestic public library complexification.

3) Public library complexification in Korea has gradually expanded in functions and types in response to changes in social environments and societal needs. After the early period characterized by simple programmatic and convenience-oriented combinations and the mid-period marked by rapid growth of welfare and cultural functions centered on small- and medium-sized libraries, the past decade has seen further diversification of complexification types reflecting evolving user demands and trends. Commercial facilities—initially incorporated for convenience—have expanded into diverse and flexible forms such as cafés, bookstores, stationery shops, retail stores, resting areas, and community spaces, becoming core elements of complexification. New combinations with workplace and residential functions have also emerged, expanding the scope of complexification in multilayered ways.

4) The analysis of complexification rates by scale shows that the tendency toward complexification is particularly pronounced in large-scale libraries. Unlike small- and medium-sized libraries, which exhibit low complexification rates relative to the number of libraries opened, most large and extra-large libraries have been established in complexified forms. Survey results indicate that large and extra-large libraries show positive evaluations in user satisfaction and functional performance due to the ease of introducing diverse facilities, improved accessibility through larger parking spaces, and enhanced inter-facility linkages enabled by efficient circulation and spatial organization. They also exhibit fewer cases in which core library functions are compromised, as sufficient library area can be secured. These scale advantages further support the provision of extensive cultural and complex services, the accommodation of diverse functions, and the relatively easier acquisition of budgets and staffing.

5) Survey results also show that complex public libraries with adequately secured library area exhibit positive evaluations in usage levels, user satisfaction, functional suitability, and inter-facility linkages. In contrast, cases with insufficient library area demonstrate limitations in performing essential functions and receive lower evaluations in overall user experience. When the proportion of non-library facilities is high, the role of the library is diminished, functional connections become weak, and the overall effects of complexification decline. Ensuring appropriate spatial allocation plays a critical role in maintaining core library functions while securing balance and connection among facilities. These findings indicate that spatial appropriateness directly affects operational performance across various scales of complex public libraries, including small libraries.

This study empirically demonstrates contemporary patterns, strengths, limitations, and effects of public library complexification through nationwide facility analysis and surveys. The findings are expected to serve as reference data and foundational indicators for future complexification planning within local communities.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Ⅰ. 서 론 1
• 1.1 연구 배경 및 목적 1
• 1.2 연구 범위 및 방법 5
• Ⅱ. 국내 공공도서관의 변화와 복합화에 관한 고찰 8
• 2.1 공공도서관의 개념 및 역할 변화 8
• 2.2 공공도서관의 복합화 18
• Ⅲ. 공공도서관의 시설 결합 현황과 복합화 기준 34
• 3.1 분석 방법 34
• 3.2 국내 공공도서관 현황 분석 39
• 3.3 국내 공공도서관 복합화 기준 시설 범위 정립 44
• Ⅳ. 공공도서관의 복합화 특성 및 경향 46
• 4.1 분석 유형에 따른 공공도서관 복합화 특성 분석 46
• 4.2 설문조사를 통한 공공도서관 복합화 특성 분석 검토 78
• 4.3 공공도서관 복합화 특성 분석에 따른 시사점 86
• Ⅴ. 결 론 89
• 참 고 문 헌 93
• 부 록 95
• ABSTRACT 101