• Index of this issue

No. 75, November 2012

The National Library of Korea (NLK) has provided professional training programs for librarians across the country. Each year the country sees the increase in the number of libraries. In case of public libraries, the figure grew from 564 in 2007 to 785 in 2011, meaning it has increased at a rate of 50 libraries every year. This trend contributed to driving demand for librarian training programs, in the meantime, the number of people who took online courses has increased considerably from 869 in 2007 to 6,805 in 2011.

To meet the needs of online programs proactively, the NLK started to develop its own online training system for librarians in 2011. The system is designed to provide one-stop services to help trainees sign up and complete courses without anyone's assistance.

In 2011, the NLK completed the development of "The National Library of Korea Online Training System for Librarians" on http://edu.nl.go.kr. In March 2012, it launched the system after conducting test-operations for a while. Now librarians can take various courses: "Basic Remedial Reading," "Children's Service," "Library User Service," "Reading Coach," "Copyrights," "Preservation," and "Planning Cultural Events," thereby adapting to user needs and changing environment of library services.

a top page of "the National Library of Korea Online Training System for Librarians"

These online courses are designed to provide audio, blackboard, and Q&A after the lecture similar to what offline courses offer. Students can take courses at anytime they want up to 4 hours a day per course, thanks to its running 24/7. Course completion certificates can only be issued one's progress exceeds more than 80 percent. As of August, 2012, 4,315 people have completed the online training courses.

The NLK is developing "Smart Learning System" along with educational content to connect the current online training system with mobile learning, so that students can take courses anytime, anywhere through PCs or hand-held devices. Plus, the online training system is also expected to encourage employees of the NLK to pursue self-motivated learning in the future.