PROMOTION OF SMALL LIBRARIES ACT

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Act is to enhance public access to knowledge information and contribute to the advancement of neighborhood-friendly culture of libraries by providing for matters necessary to promote small libraries.

Article 2(Definitions) #

The term "small library" in this Act means a library as defined in Article 4 (2) 1 (a) of the Libraries Act. <Amended on Dec. 7, 2021>

Article 3(Responsibility of the State and local governments) #

(1) The State and local governments shall seek measures necessary to promote small libraries.

(2) In order to fulfill the responsibility under paragraph (1), the State and local governments shall prepare schemes necessary for administrative and financial support.

Article 4(Relationship to other Acts) #

Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the creation and operation of small libraries shall be governed by the provisions of the Libraries Act.

Article 5(Establishment and operation of small libraries) #

(1) The State or a local government, corporation, organization, or private individual may establish and operate small libraries.

(2) The State and local governments shall endeavor to facilitate the smooth operation of small libraries by supporting manpower, expanding collections, and promoting reading and cultural programs. <Added on Jan. 31, 2025>

(3) The State and local governments may provide necessary support within budgetary limits to small libraries that a corporation, organization, or individual intends to establish and operate, or is currently operating. <Amended on Jan. 31, 2025>

Article 6(Direction of operation of small libraries) #

(1) Small libraries shall be operated in a manner that can contribute to the enhancement of the cultural lifestyle of the local community based on residents' participation and autonomy.

(2) If it is necessary to establish and operate small libraries, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/or autonomous Gu (hereinafter referred to as "the head of a Si/Gun/Gu") may establish an autonomous operating committee (hereinafter referred to as "the committee") in order to collect opinions from local residents, relevant experts, users, etc.

(3) Matters necessary for the organization and operation of the committee shall be prescribed by Municipal Ordinance of the competent Special Self-Governing City, Special Self-Governing Province, or Si/Gun/autonomous Gu.

Article 7(Cooperation with other public libraries) #

(1) The State and local governments shall establish and implement policy measures to promote cooperation in library materials and services between small libraries and other public libraries (referring to libraries defined in Article 4 (2) 1 of the Libraries Act; hereafter the same shall apply in this Article) for the purpose of enhancing the functions of small libraries and advancing library culture. <Amended on Dec. 7, 2021>

(2) The State and local governments shall formulate measures necessary to establish and operate an information sharing system for sharing books, materials, etc. between public libraries and small libraries.

Article 8(Designation and development of model area for development of small libraries) #

(1) In order to promote small libraries, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may designate a model area for the development of small libraries (hereinafter referred to as "model area") ex officio or upon receipt of an application from the head of a Si/Gun/Gu.

(2) The State or a local government may grant subsidies for expenses incurred in the designation and development of a model area, within budgetary limits.

(3) Matters necessary for the standards and procedure for the designation and support of model areas shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 9(Free loan of State or public property) #

If the State or a local government deems it necessary to form and operate a private small library which is registered pursuant to Article 36 (1) of the Libraries Act, it may permit the small library to use State or public property for free or may loan such property, notwithstanding the relevant provisions, such as the State Property Act or the Public Property and Commodity Management Act. <Amended on Dec. 7, 2021>

Article 10(Support of small libraries) #

(1) The State and local governments shall provide support to public-private collaborative activities for promoting the establishment and operation of small libraries.

(2) The State and local governments shall encourage enterprises, organizations, or individuals to provide support to invigorating the establishment and operation of small libraries,

(3) The State and local governments may provide necessary support to encourage companies and other entities to sponsor small libraries. <Amended on Aug. 8, 2023>

Article 11(Overseas diffusion of small libraries) #

The State may provide administrative and financial support necessary for the overseas diffusion of small libraries.

Article 12(Survey on actual status of operation of small libraries) #

(1) The head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall survey the actual condition of the operation of small libraries within his or her jurisdiction and shall submit a report on the survey results to the National Library Committee under Article 11 of the Libraries Act by December 31 every year, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, and the National Library Committee shall publish the survey results. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2016; Dec. 7, 2021>

(2) If it is necessary to conduct a survey under paragraph (1) or to prepare policy measures for evaluation and revitalization of libraries, the head of a Si/Gun/Gu or the chairperson of the National Library Committee under Article 11 of the Libraries Act may request a relevant administrative agency, enterprise, research institute, educational institution, or organization to submit data or present their opinion. In such cases, the relevant administrative agency or other entity upon receipt of a request to submit data or present opinions shall comply with such request, unless there is a good cause. <Amended on Dec. 7, 2021; Aug. 8, 2023>

Article 13(Establishment and nurturing of small libraries-related associations) #

(1) If it is necessary to facilitate exchange of information between workers in small libraries, train professional human resources, and encourage local residents' participation, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may grant permission to establish an association or other juristic person related to small libraries (hereinafter referred to as "association").

(2) The State may subsidize an association for expenses incurred in the operation thereof.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the provisions regarding non-profit corporate entities in the Civil Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to an association.

Article 14(Rewards) #

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may select persons whose contribution to the promotion of small libraries is recognized, to reward such persons.

Article 15(Delegation or entrustment of authority) #

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism may partially delegate his or her authority vested under this Act to the head of an affiliated agency or may partially entrust his or her authority vested under this Act to a relevant juristic person or organization, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.