Survey of Users of Korean Materials:
The Australia-Korea Research
and Information Profile
Report of the Korean Working Group
May 1998
6. Recommendations
It is proposed that the following be referred to the Korean Working Group for action :
1. that Australian libraries continue to work together to improve access to materials on Korea in both printed and electronic formats; that co-ordination between libraries be improved; that increased networking should be pursued including via the Internet.
Response by the Korean Working Group: that the KWG prepare further proposals to forward these tasks especially those which require funding. The purpose would be to increase co-operative infrastructure between institutions and to improve facilities for research including cataloguing and provision of access to the Internet and other online sources.
Importance: very high.
Timeframe: following publication of the report.
Group responsible: members of the KWG
2. that access to the National Chinese, Japanese and Korean Online System be more widely promoted and made available in all major and academic Australian libraries.
Response by the Korean Working Group: that the awareness of the academic and business communities of the National Chinese, Japanese and Korean Online System be increased by individual libraries promoting the system through demonstrations and by the inclusion of information about it in a handout on Australian Korean library resources and services.
Importance : very high.
Timeframe : during 1998 and ongoing.
Group responsible : NLA to prepare a draft.
3. that existing Korean library services in Australia be more effectively promoted as it appears that users are not fully aware of them.
Response by the Korean Working Group: largely dependent upon individual libraries. Production of a handout on Australian Korean library resources and services would be a start.
Importance: very high.
Timeframe: during 1998 and ongoing.
Group responsible: NLA to prepare draft handout. The KWG should liaise
directly with major user groups to see what impediments exist.
4. that contacts with Korean libraries be developed to improve services to Korean users in Australia; that the possibilities for obtaining photocopies and loans through formal arrangements overseas be pursued
Response by the Korean Working Group: there is a need to establish what barriers exist to setting up such arrangements and if there are options which need to be studied.
The Korean Working Group would attempt to set up liaison with Korean libraries to see if they have needs for Australian materials which could be offset against Korean materials wanted in Australia.
Importance: high.
Timeframe: by end 1998 establish what barriers exist.
Group responsible: Korean Working Group.
5. that the problem for users of slowness of inter-library loans and supply of photocopies be considered as well as the effectiveness of the system including direct charges.
Response by Korean Working Group: the turnaround period for loan of books appears to have been unaltered for a number of years.
As the major lender of Korean vernacular materials in Australia, NLA would contact its borrowing libraries informally and check on their level of satisfaction with the service and if there are any areas of improvement.
Local libraries set the policy in direct charges to users for loans and photocopies.
Importance: high
Timeframe: NLA would survey borrowing libraries by the end of 1998 and report back the results. Members of the KWG would be asked to state their policies on direct user charges.
Group responsible: NLA and members of the KWG.
6. that access to electronic economic data on Korea be improved within Australia
Response by the Korean Working Group: this need has not been stated to libraries but probably arises from the inclusion of business in the survey. However, this is a possible area of new development.
The closest analogy is the Australia-Japan Research Centre at ANU which provides access to Japanese economic data.
At this stage, the availability of such data is not clearly defined and would need to be more fully articulated. It is recommended that this recommendation be referred to the Australia-Japan Research Centre for comment and that members of the KWG obtain more information on the availability of such data.
Importance: high
Timeframe: investigations complete by late 1998.
Group responsible: KWG.
7. that collecting of library materials on North Korea be given greater priority by Australian libraries with Korean holdings especially the National Library.
Response by Korean Working Group: at present, there is very little available from North Korea, but the NLA is obtaining microfilms of newspapers. It will continue to seek materials about North Korea published in South Korea and elsewhere.
Importance: high.
Timeframe: ongoing
Group responsible: NLA plus other members of the KWG.
8. that gaps in collecting, such as a lack of current periodicals and newspapers in a number of libraries, be considered together with possible funding sources.
Response by the Korean Working Group: the funding proposals referred to in 1. above should be pursued.
Importance: high.
Timeframe: a proposal should be prepared following publication of the report.
Group responsible: members of the KWG.
9. that the needs of business which are bypassing libraries be discussed more fully with business councils and users.
Response by the Korean Working Group: the KWG would welcome more use of libraries by business if that can be accomplished within present constraints. It is a broader issue and needs further discussion.
Importance: high (for business community)
Timeframe: by early 1999.
Group responsible: KWG to discuss with bodies such as the Australia Korea Foundation and business councils.
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Last updated 9 December 1998
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