What is a library? A library is an institution with a quiet study place where books and many other important documents are compiled and preserved for reading. It is not just a source of knowledge and guardian of culture but also a vibrant hub of community engagement and indicators of human development.
Indeed, libraries are important sources of ancient, valuable, and rare documents preserved by our ancestors. They play a significant role in the documentary heritage of a nation.
The library
Libraries also need to evolve with time. From ancient times to today’s digital archives, libraries have adapted to serve diverse societies’ needs. Their primary objective is to enhance the education system by providing information resources, services, and facilities to fulfil users’ informational, research, educational, cultural, and recreational requirements.
On February 26, 2024, an educational programme on “The Future of World Library” by G 30 K-Library and Naiel Newspaper was held at the National Library for Children and Adults, Seoul, South Korea. The goal of this programme was to share the education and library systems of South Korea and other nations around the world. Thirty international students, including one Nepali student, participated and shared their experiences regarding libraries in their home countries.
The major libraries in Nepal are the national library, academic library, public library, community library, school library, and special library. The library in Durbar School (1854) was Nepal’s first school library and Tri-Chandra Campus (1918) was the first academic library. However, these libraries were offered only to elite royals for a long time.
The Nepal National Library (1957), managed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, was the first public library in Nepal. Tribhuvan University Central Library (1959) is the largest library in Nepal with more than 4 million collections.
Nowadays many libraries in Nepal have adopted digital services for users’ ease, unlike a decade ago. Tribhuvan University Central Library has started providing open study rooms for 24 hours. Desired books and materials can be searched and reserved from home through the library website. This saves the time and effort through the technical facility.
South Korea’s education quality
South Korea is one of the countries that have been working effortlessly to provide these facilities through libraries. The country offers these services to attract all age groups, from children to the elderly as the country is facing a low birth rate and a high elderly population problem.
South Korea’s average birthrate is one of the lowest in the world and has plunged to a record new low (0.65 per cent), raising the concern of extinction. The country has over 19 per cent of the elderly population, facing a human resource problem. Therefore, South Korea offers many Asian countries to live and work to fulfil human resources.
Nepal is one of the countries where South Korea allows an EPS system. In 2023 South Korea announced 15,448 job openings in manufacturing, and a staggering number of 143,812 young Nepali applied for the post.
Many people are eager to apply for jobs in South Korea, showing continued high demand for employment opportunities due to good income, advanced infrastructure, and technology. Therefore, South Korea could be a good place to raise kids while working.
The country underwent a remarkable transformation in the past by implementing a focused programme to uplift education quality and technology. Central to this transformation was the establishment of well-equipped and efficiently managed public libraries. In 1945, South Korea had a literacy rate of 22 per cent and a per capita GDP of $94 in 1961. By 2024, its literacy rate soared to 99 per cent, and its GDP per capita exceeded $34,000.
The visit to the National Library for Children and Adults provided insights that libraries can be more than just books and study places. In today’s era of science and technology, libraries have become a core place that provides convenient and equitable access to useful resources for local citizens and people all around the world.
Education systems are embracing digital innovation globally to meet the needs of students in the digital age. By integrating various technologies, they provide accessible and entertaining services, benefiting Nepali of all ages and advancing their participation in the global arena.
