National Library of Korea to Hold Integrated Workshop with Korean Studies Librarians from Seven Countries

Workshop Brings Together 17 Korean Studies Librarians from 7 Countries

The National Library of Korea announced on the 13th that it will hold the "2025 Overseas Korean Studies Librarians and Cultural Companions Integrated Workshop" from October 13 to 18. Centered around the theme of Digital Archiving, the event will bring together 17 Korean Studies librarians from national, university, and public libraries, as well as overseas Korean collections in seven countries, including the United States, Germany, and Japan.

Overseas Korean Studies Librarians and Cultural Companions Workshop Poster. Provided by the National Library of Korea

Since 2005, the National Library of Korea has hosted the "Overseas Korean Studies Librarians Workshop" to promote understanding of Korean libraries and culture and to expand Korean-related services. In addition, since 2006, it has operated the "Cultural Companions Program," an overseas librarian training initiative aimed at cultivating professional librarians responsible for Korean Studies resources abroad and enhancing cultural exchange between countries.

This year, the two workshops will be integrated for the first time. By holding the Overseas Korean Studies Librarians Workshop and the Cultural Companions Workshop together, the National Library of Korea plans to facilitate practical exchanges, cooperation, and the sharing of up-to-date information in a single venue. The integrated workshop is expected to serve as an opportunity for overseas Korean Studies librarians and cultural experts to gather, further promoting the global spread of Korean Studies and strengthening international cooperation.

Key programs include presentations on the National Library of Korea's "National Literature Preservation and Knowledge Information Resource Sharing Service," "Korean Memory," "Web Resource Collection and Preservation Project (OASIS)," and "Future Library Experience: Immersive Content at the National Library of Korea." Other highlights are the "Big Data-Based Knowledge Information Platform LikeSNU" by Shin Dongwon, director of Seoul National University Central Library, and a lecture titled "Understanding Korean Culture" by Kim Eunki, professor at Korea University. Participants will also engage in themed sessions to share the current status and experiences of their institutions, along with in-depth discussions to explore international cooperation strategies.

Kim Seungjeong, head of the International Exchange and Public Relations Team, stated, "We hope this workshop will provide participants with opportunities to share the latest information and know-how, and to seek practical avenues for cooperation. In particular, by integrating the Overseas Korean Studies Librarians Workshop and the Cultural Companions Workshop, we expect international collaboration and human networks to be further strengthened."

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