Since the establishment of Cyber Korea 21 in 1995, national and local informatization is currently in progress in Korea. The common feature of information is building up digitized DB, sbusequently providing, distributing, circulating informations via ...
Since the establishment of Cyber Korea 21 in 1995, national and local informatization is currently in progress in Korea. The common feature of information is building up digitized DB, sbusequently providing, distributing, circulating informations via advanced telecommunication technology and recording media.
In the knowledge-based society after informatization, pubilc libraries must develop variety of programs sufficing both current and potential user's request for information in order to survive and expand. In the same time a service system should be built to guide citizen's involvement.
In the past the public library played roles of a center for information, education, culture, recration. Its function will be more developed in the knowledge-based management society built by local information policy.
In this study suggestions are presented for expanded funcion of the public library as non-profit organization by informatization of community.
First, it exists as a knowledge & information center to provide conventional documents and digital information by utilizing of advanced telecommunication technology and recording media.
Second, as a continuing education center, it plays a role of educator for community members for continued education through variety of education program and introduction of new technologies such as virtual educaion and cyber lecture.
Third, as a culture center of society, it has the function of archives of local culture for improvement of community members' quality of life.
Fourth, as a recreation and leisure center it has the function of recreating life through fosterting spare time and promoting health.
Fifth, as a social welfare center, it has function of developing service programs for those alienated such as the handicapped, children, the aged and also the connector to local welfare center.
Sixth, as a convenience center for life, it has the function of providing information for employment counseling in conjunction with local industries and citizens to self-governing organization connecting citizens to local administration.
Seventh, as a community center, it has the function of relay for providing needy information to citizeds with cooperation of many related organizations.
The seven functions, originated from the former four functions, are suggested by the author after research and analysis of environment of local communitise, precedents of foreign and domestic programs, and provided services.
Local competitiveness and community members' quality of life will be heightened by the fortified functions of public libraries.
In order to carry out all the functions of public libraries efficiently essential requirements are suggested as follows:
1. Essential prerequisties ar securing prolonged support and budget from local administration.
2. Development of variety of contents is required for efficient operation of public libraries.
3. Expansion of building or facility is required for carrying out external functions of libraries.
4. Building local network is required for linking industries, research institutes, self-governing organization, entrprises, education institutes in the community.