The purpose of this Act is to contribute to promoting competitiveness in education and research of universities through the promotion of university libraries by prescribing matters concerning the establishment and operation of and support to university libraries.
| (1) | The definitions of terms used in this Act shall be as follows: |
| 1. | The term "universities" means schools prescribed in the subparagraphs of Article 2 of the Higher Education Act and educational institutions established pursuant to other Acts, which provide curriculums at least those of universities; |
| 2. | The term "university library" means a library whose major purpose is to provide library services to the faculty, students, and employees at a university; |
| (2) | Except as expressly provided for in paragraph (1), the definitions of terms used in this Act shall be governed by the Libraries Act. |
| Article 3 (Responsibility of Government and Local Governments) |
| (1) | The Government and local governments shall formulate a policy for the promotion of university libraries and solution to gaps in knowledge and information. |
| (2) | The Government and local governments shall formulate a plan to provide administrative and financial support for the promotion of university libraries. |
| Article 4 (Responsibility of Universities and University Libraries) |
| (1) | Universities shall provide proactive cooperation in the Government's policy for the promotion of university libraries and solution to gaps in knowledge and information, and take measures necessary for such cooperation. |
| (2) | University libraries shall respect major matters established, discussed, or adjusted by the Library Information Policy Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Library Committee") prescribed in Article 12 of the Libraries Act. |
| (3) | University libraries shall endeavor to promote libraries, such as strengthening connection with libraries prescribed in the Libraries Act. |
| Article 5 (Relationship with other Acts and Subordinate Statutes) |
Except as otherwise expressly provided for in other Acts, this Act shall apply to university libraries.
| Article 6 (Establishment and Operation) |
| (1) | The founder and operator of a university shall establish a library in the university. |
| (2) | Matters necessary for the operation of a university library shall be prescribed by school regulations within the scope prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 7 (Affairs, etc. of University Libraries) |
| (1) | Each university library shall conduct the following affairs to support the education and research of the university: |
| 1. | Collection, arrangement, preservation, and provision of service of library materials necessary for the education and research of the university; |
| 2. | Support necessary for education and research activities; |
| 3. | Support necessary for study and learning activities of students; |
| 4. | Collection, digitalization, and operation of various knowledge resources produced at the university; |
| 5. | Mutual cooperation with and the provision of services to other libraries and relevant institutions; |
| 6. | Other affairs necessary to perform functions of the university library. |
| (2) | Each university library may open facilities and materials for the community to the extent not interfering with affairs conducted under paragraph (1). |
| (3) | Each university library may operate educational programs, etc. for community residents suitable for the actual circumstances of the university and the community. |
| Article 8 (Formulation of Master Plans for Promotion of University Libraries) |
| (1) | The Minister of Education shall formulate a master plan for the promotion of university libraries (hereinafter referred to as "master plan") every five years for the promotion of university libraries. In such cases, he/she shall consult with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies in advance. |
| (2) | A master plan shall include the following: |
| 1. | Basic directions for and objectives of the promotion of university libraries; |
| 2. | Methods of driving the promotion of university libraries; |
| 3. | Securing funds for the promotion of university libraries; |
| 4. | Establishment of infrastructure for the promotion of university libraries; |
| 5. | Improvement of systems and Acts and subordinate statutes for the promotion of university libraries; |
| 6. | Other matters necessary for the promotion of university libraries. |
| (3) | The Minister of Education shall formulate and implement action plans for the promotion of university libraries (hereinafter referred to as “action plan”) every year according to a master plan, review and evaluate the results of implementing the action plans, and reflect such results in formulating the following master plan. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 15953, Dec. 18, 2018> |
| (4) | The Minister of Education may request relevant data from the head of the relevant central administrative agency and the head of the relevant university, if necessary, in order to formulate and implement a master plan and action plans, and the head of the relevant central administrative agency, etc. requested to submit the relevant data shall comply with such request, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 15953, Dec. 18, 2018> |
| (5) | Other matters necessary for the formulation, implementation, evaluation, etc. of a master plan and action plans shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 15953, Dec. 18, 2018> |
| Article 9 (Formulation of Plans for Development of University Libraries) |
| (1) | The president of a university shall formulate a plan for the development of the university library suitable for the characteristics of the relevant university, based on a master plan. In such cases, such plan shall be discussed by a university library steering committee prescribed in Article 10 (1). |
| (2) | Matters necessary for the formulation and implementation of a development plan prescribed in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by school regulations, within the scope prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 10 (University Library Steering Committee) |
| (1) | The president of a university shall organize and operate a university library steering committee under the jurisdiction of the president of the relevant university to deliberate on important matters concerning the operation of the university library. |
| (2) | Matters necessary for the organization and operation of a university library steering committee prescribed in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by school regulations. |
| Article 11 (Librarians, etc.) |
| (1) | The president of a university shall employ librarians necessary for the operation of a university library, and where necessary, he/she may employee specialized employees, such as computer staff. |
| (2) | The president of a university shall endeavor to improve the ability of librarians and specialized employees prescribed in paragraph (1) to conduct affairs, and provide them with opportunities of receiving education and training for the improvement of their ability. |
| (3) | Matters necessary for criteria for assignment of librarians and specialized employees prescribed in paragraph (1) and education, training, etc. provided under paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by school regulations within the scope prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 12 (Facilities and Library Materials) |
| (1) | A university library shall have facilities and library materials appropriate for the nature of the university and the convenience of users in order to support the education and research of the relevant university. |
| (2) | Matters necessary for standards for facilities and library materials prescribed in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by school regulations within the scope prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 13 (Establishment, etc. of Cooperation Network of University Libraries) |
| (1) | A university library shall exchange and cooperate with other university libraries to conduct the following affairs: |
| 1. | Comprehensive cataloguing among university libraries; |
| 2. | Cooperation in mutual lending among university libraries; |
| 3. | Shared use of digital data compiled by university libraries; |
| 4. | Shared collection and preservation of scientific and academic research materials; |
| 5. | Other affairs necessary for the development of university libraries and the enhancement of competitiveness in research. |
| (2) | A university library may establish a cooperation network of university libraries for exchange and cooperation among university libraries prescribed in paragraph (1). |
| (3) | A university library may entrust affairs concerning exchange and cooperation with other university libraries prescribed in paragraph (1) to a relevant specialized institution, etc. or organize a conference, etc. on university libraries (hereinafter referred to as "conference, etc.") and require it to conduct such affairs. |
| (4) | The Government may provide administrative and financial support for the establishment and operation of a cooperation network of university libraries prescribed in paragraph (2) and the operation of a conference, etc. prescribed in paragraph (3). |
| Article 14 (Evaluation of University Libraries) |
| (1) | The Minister of Education may evaluate the operation of facilities, human resources, library materials, etc. of university libraries, in consultation with the Library Committee, and disclose the results of the evaluation thereof for the promotion of university libraries. In such cases, the Library Committee may request him/her to submit the results of the evaluation thereof. |
| (2) | The Minister of Education may reflect the results of evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) in financial support to university libraries. |
| (3) | Matters necessary for criteria and procedures for and methods of evaluation of university libraries prescribed in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (4) | The Minister of Education may entrust evaluations conducted under paragraph (1) to a relevant association, specialized institution, etc. so that it may conduct such evaluations on his/her behalf. In such cases, he/she may subsidize expenses incurred in conducting such evaluations. |
| Article 15 (Fact-Finding Surveys) |
| (1) | The Minister of Education may conduct a fact-finding survey on university libraries for the formulation and implementation of a master plan and action plans and the evaluation, etc. of university libraries. |
| (2) | Matters necessary for the scope, methods, etc. of fact-finding surveys under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 15953, Dec. 18, 2018]
| Article 16 (Guidance and Supervision) |
A university library shall receive guidance and supervision by the relevant university prescribed in the Higher Education Act, the Private School Act, and other statutes, or guidance and supervision by a supervisory agency of the relevant university.
ADDENDA <Amended by Act No. 13222, Mar. 27, 2015>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 Omitted.
ADDENDUM <Act No. 15953, Dec. 18, 2018>
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.