Library Policy Seminar Held... 'Library Inclusivity Toward Information Equality'

Seminar Held on the 7th
Topic: 'Library Inclusivity Towards Information Equality'
Policy Directions to Be Explored and Reflected in Next Year's 4th Comprehensive Library Development Plan

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The Library Information Policy Committee will hold the '2022 Library Policy Seminar' on the 7th at the Grand Mercure Rendezvous Hall in Seoul Dragon City, under the theme 'Policy Directions for Future Libraries in a Rapidly Changing Era.'

This seminar was organized to explore the future direction of library policies and to reflect them in the 4th Comprehensive Library Development Plan (2024-2028), which is scheduled to be established next year.

The morning session will be held under the theme 'Library Inclusiveness Toward Information Equality.' The keynote speech will be delivered by Professor Lee Byung-min of Konkuk University's Department of Cultural Contents, titled 'A Society of Empathy, From Inclusion to an Era of Empathy,' emphasizing the increasingly important value of 'empathy' in a rapidly changing society and presenting the role of future libraries accordingly.

The first presentation, 'Digital, Eco-friendly, and Barrier-free Public Libraries,' will be given by Professor Lee Seung-min of Chung-Ang University's Department of Library and Information Science, discussing the transformation and current status of public libraries in response to social changes. The second presentation, 'Realization of Social Value and Library Vitality Index,' will be delivered by Professor Bae Kyung-jae of Dongduk Women's University's Department of Library and Information Science, presenting the 'Library Vitality Index' developed to measure library capabilities as sustainable infrastructure.

The afternoon session will focus on 'Policy Directions for Libraries in a Changing Society,' providing time to consider policy orientations from a macro perspective. A special lecture titled 'Trend 2023, Speaking of the Future of Korea' will be given by Research Fellow Kwon Jung-yoon of Seoul National University's Consumer Trend Analysis Center, co-author of 'Trend Korea 2023,' offering specific forecasts on recent social changes.

The first presentation, 'Population Policy and Future Response,' will be delivered by Professor Kim Hee-sam of the Basic Education Department at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), diagnosing changes in Korea's population structure and discussing policy responses. The second presentation, 'Cultural Policy and Library Promotion,' will be given by Cho Hyun-sung, Head of the Cultural Research Division at the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, presenting the direction of library policies according to national goals.

A representative of the Library Committee stated, “From December 8, the Library Information Policy Committee will change its name to the ‘National Library Committee’ and strengthen its role in overseeing national library policies,” adding, “We hope this meaningful time will allow experts from various fields to come together and contemplate the direction future libraries should take during this important period.”

The seminar will be broadcast live online.