Currently, there is no special library which systematically collects and stores comics materials in Korea. Of course, the National Central Library and the comics library in Bucheon City have partly played such a role, but the current situation can be ...
Currently, there is no special library which systematically collects and stores comics materials in Korea. Of course, the National Central Library and the comics library in Bucheon City have partly played such a role, but the current situation can be said to still have some margins of improvement. In this research, we compare comics libraries of three countries (France, Belgium, Japan) holding prominent positions within the global comics market, and that of Korea. Let's examine what are the characteristics of each library, how they are established, and what are their directives in collecting, keeping and servicing comics. I will begin by introducing major overseas comics specialty libraries, which will provide the grounds on which to discuss problems and possible improvements in terms of the Korean comics library’s directive strategies. It is in light of this program that we consulted the current literature and conducted face-to-face and written interviews.
The result of this comparative research can be summarized as follows. First, one distinction had to be made between public and private corporations: while the French and Korean libraries pertain to the former case, those of Belgium and Japan pertain to the latter. In Belgium, what was remarkable was the role of professional librarians, despite the shortage of human resources and budget. In Japan, donation as the principal means of collection and improvements of research capabilities were worth noticing. The case of France was exemplary in terms of the quality of its programming capacity, of the role of professional librarians, of research centers, and of its collection strategies.
This study aims to serve professionals believing in the possibility of a more professional, or a more prominent comics library, securing an institutional role nation-wide.