The objective of this study is to delineate improvement measures in accordance with the assessment of the operations of small libraries in Paju-si. Since 2017, Paju-si has been spearheading resident-friendly reading culture services through the operation of small libraries. With 83 small libraries operational as of January 2024, Paju-si has encountered a necessity to establish a business activation model tailored to the local environment and characteristics. Small libraries are evolving into entities that not only provide reading and cultural services but also contribute to welfare, culture, and village communities, encompassing activities such as creating public jobs and linkingcare services.
Based on this background, this study endeavors to diagnose and evaluate the operations of small libraries through the results of a survey targeting small library users and operators in Paju City. It seeks improvement measures suitable for the distinct characteristics of Paju-si, which has implemented the "partner librarian" system.
The fundamental direction for the operation of small libraries in Paju-si is proposed as follows: Partner librarians are tasked with broadening their support scope from initiating and stabilizing small library operations to exploring and enhancing small library branding. The focus is on consulting to improve quality rather than pursuing quantitative expansion. A strategic approach for fostering the activation of small libraries is outlined in the 4th Paju-si Comprehensive Plan for the Promotion of Reading Culture. It involves establishing a specialization strategy based on regional user demands and operator insights, as well as devising methods to ensure self-sustainability at the individual small library level and formulating differentiation strategies based on village characteristics. Strategies for revitalizing small libraries in Paju-si encompass revising ordinances, restructuring organizational frameworks diversifying operation and management plans, and projecting a long-term vision.
Policy recommendations are delineated for users, operators, partner librarians, and Paju-si, alongside region-specific policy suggestions.
We conducted a SWOT analysis to evaluate the operations of small libraries in Paju City. The strengths of Paju City's small libraries lie in their role as benchmarks for other local governments owing to regional consultations and tailored support from partner librarians. Active communication among operators, as well as the promotion of educational support for operators, is noted. Various types of small libraries collaborate to exchange operational know-how and disseminate best practices to new or other local government small libraries.
The weaknesses of Paju City's small libraries include the absence of an institutional framework for labor cost support, operational challenges due to a lack of dedicated personnel, limited responsiveness due to small organizational staff, the imperative to devise revitalization plans owing to the absence of a mid- to long-term vision at the Paju level, and the necessity to enhance awareness of small libraries.
Opportunities for small libraries in Paju City include being showcased as benchmarks by other local governments, selection of small libraries with child care needs for the Small Library Child Care Project, fostering local residents' consensus on the necessity of small libraries, instances of playing pivotal roles in village communities, and the proliferation of joint club operations between small libraries, facilitating collaboration expansion.
Threats of small libraries in Paju City include the pursuit of other local governments that have attempted to benchmark, weakening the driving force of operators who have operated small libraries for a long time, low willingness to volunteer activities and difficulty in finding actual volunteers, increasing dependence on the government and making it difficult to secure the unique self-sustainability of small libraries, and confusion in the identity of small libraries due to the integration of child care programs and the connection of job creation projects.