Current Status and Future Plan of the National Library of Korea—National Library of Korea, standing in the center of changes of the 21st century 

1. Major achievements in FY2002

The NLK developed the following services in FY2002 (January-December 2002) to strengthen its role as the national knowledge and information center based on the Comprehensive Plans for Library Development. 

Expansion of library holdings
The NLK acquired 496,235 domestic publications by legal deposit, purchase, donation and other means; 33,644 foreign books on Korea by duplicating, purchase, exchange, deposit and gift. Total library holdings reached 4,385,873 volumes.

Preservation and management of materials
To fulfill its role as the preservation center of national literature, the NLK employed expert staff and established a preservation and conservation laboratory with experimental and processing equipment. Overseas study tours to Japan and China were also conducted (related article). 

Promotion of library information infrastructure
FY2002 was the last year of the first stage of the Comprehensive Library Information Plan. The NLK developed the following projects:

1. Construction of databases
The NLK constructed the databases below and provided them on the Internet.

2. CIP System
The NLK started the CIP (Cataloging in Publication) System and developed an experimental processing system that enables entire related procedures to be processed on the Internet (related article). 

3. National Digital Library for Visually Handicapped
To correct the digital divide, the NLK developed the National Digital Library for the Visually Handicapped.

Reader services

1. To strengthen the academic information provision function, the following projects are ongoing: provision of domestic and foreign academic databases, establishment of reader-centered service system, and provision of bibliographic, table of contents and image databases via the Internet.
2. Reading rooms were organized by subjects and types of materials. They were also open at night.
3. In FY2002, the library was open 323 days, the total number of visitors was 1,122,338, and the daily average was 3,477.
4. Materials can be requested through the Internet, fax and e-mail. Copying service by mail is also available.
5. Cultural events such as concerts, and exhibitions hosted by foreign diplomatic establishments in Korea were held. Training courses for parents to form children's reading habits were also offered. 

Training of librarians
To respond to the highly advanced information society, the NLK enhanced training programs for librarians, especially those on information processing. A systematic educational program with twenty-six courses was provided and 1,250 Korean librarians attended in FY2002.

Compilation of national bibliography and standardization of bibliographic data
As the national bibliographic agency, the NLK publishes the Korean National Bibliography and the Korean National Bibliography Monthly. Library, a quarterly bulletin on library and library information science, is distributed to public libraries in Korea. Assignment of ISBN and ISSN is also an important work of the NLK.

Library cooperation
1. Domestic cooperation
The NLK is the central library of the public library network in Korea. In FY2002, it provided ILL services, reading promotion courses, and assistance for the management of public libraries. It also supported the dissemination of KOLAS II (Korean Library Automation System) and provided 2,298 commercial databases via the National Digital Library (http://www.dlibrary.go.kr).

2. International cooperation
The NLK conducted international services such as exchange of materials with 284 libraries in 94 countries, provision of materials on Korea, copying services, and reference services. It sent delegations to the international meetings of the IFLA, the CDNL and others, and conducted exchange programs with the NDL, the National Library of China, and the National Library of Singapore.

Creation of list of subject headings
The National Library of Korea List of Subject Headings was compiled. It enables efficient access by subject.

Basic Construction Plan of the National Digital Library
The NLK is planning to construct the National Digital Library, with digital library function and storage function, by 2008. In FY2002, the Basic Construction Plan of the National Digital Library was drawn up.
 

2. Major plans for FY2003

The NLK is dealing with the following challenges:

• Provision of advanced information services
• Training of reference specialists
• Enhancement of on-the-job training
• Education on information processing
• Training programs in foreign countries
• Improvement of library service infrastructure
  Enhancement of function as the national knowledge and information center 

• Further development of database construction
• Standardization
  • Use of Unicode
  • Development of integrated KORMARC format
  • Dissemination of the CIP System

Improved efficiency of acquisition and preservation of library materials, and promotion of library cooperation 

1. Acquisition

• Strengthening of the legal deposit system
• Study on efficient acquisition of online electronic publications
• Expansion of acquisition of foreign materials

2. Preservation

• Establishment of the Preservation Processing Center, a center facility for scientific preservation of domestic publications
• Compilation of bibliographic notes of rare and old books

3. Library cooperation

• Increase of member libraries of the Korea library cooperation network
• Establishment of associations in each type of library society
• Promotion of research activities
• Enhancement of international library cooperation through exchange programs with foreign libraries and participation in international meetings

In 2006, the 72nd IFLA Annual Conference will be held in Seoul. The NLK hopes it will be an opportunity to enhance library cooperation in the Asia region, and also hopes for support and cooperation from Japan, which has already hosted the conference.