Libraries abroad: South Korea to open 180 new libraries

A total of 552 billion won ($493 million) has been earmarked for opening 66 public libraries and 114 small libraries, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said. The move is part of the government’s “Library Development Comprehensive Plan”, set for 2009-2013 to promote reading.

The government plans to increase the total number of public libraries in South Korea from 748 in 2010 to 814 in 2011, staffed by an additional 212 public librarians. The government aims to decrease the number of visitors per library per year by 6,000 – from 68,000 to 62,000 – in an attempt to improve service quality. While Korea had 70,000 visitors per library in 2009, the United States had 33,000 and France, 14,000. The government also aims to increase the number of books available at public libraries to 80 million by 2013.

This news comes in stark contrast to that from the United Kingdom. According to Public Library News, 401 libraries across the country are either under threat or have recently been closed. An additional 53 mobile libraries are at risk of being taken off the road. The Guardian has even published a map, documenting the exact location of each of the libraries threatened with closure.

Many libraries in Australia are also facing tough times in the coming months, though this is due to natural, rather than man-made causes. Many libraries in Queensland and Victoria have been damaged by recent floods which have devastated many areas, with flood water covering a large area. The damaged libraries include the BoysTown Library in Brisbane, which offers services to disadvantaged children and young people up to the age of 25.