• Index of this issue

No. 75, November 2012

Libraries in military camps and prisons help learn and provide opportunities to improve one's quality of life. Plus, it serves as a window to the outside world.

With the growth of importance of the library services, the more military camps set up libraries for their servicemen. As of December 2010, there are 47 prison libraries and 1,691 camp libraries operating in Korea. Even though most prisons established its own library, difficulties in managing the facility have still remained due to the lack of professional training programs.

Since 2011, the National Library of Korea (NLK) launched the special training programs for those who are in charge of these libraries. In collaboration with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Justice, the NLK have carried out the training for middle managers who are non-librarian. The program includes "Basic Library Management Practices," "Partnership with Public Libraries," and "General Library Management."

From this year the NLK decided to conduct the programs twice a year for each type of libraries: the first half for prison libraries and the second half of the year for military camp libraries, in order to meet growing demand for the professional training. Now it is expected to contribute to establish a foundation for promoting military camp and prison libraries to enhance their user-oriented services.

Camp Library Training	Prison Library Training