The South Korean government announced on July 1 that it will distribute guidelines encouraging public and school libraries to actively purchase books from local bookstores. This initiative, known as the 'Local Bookstore Purchase Activation Guidelines,' will be shared with local governments and education offices.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to amend the 'Local Contract Act Enforcement Decree' to allow local governments to directly contract with local bookstores or bookstore cooperatives without regard to amount or bidding. Additionally, it will enable multiple orders for book purchases and provide extra points for local bookstores and cooperatives during bidding processes.
These benefits will apply to local bookstores and cooperatives officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The ministry will verify eligibility through the Korea Publishing Culture Industry Promotion Agency and inform local governments accordingly. An explanatory meeting is scheduled for early July, with applications for verification opening on July 15.
The ministry also plans to encourage local governments and education offices to actively utilize the new contracting system and to create or leverage ordinances that prioritize purchasing books from local bookstores.
Furthermore, the government recommends separating contracts for book purchases and labeling tasks. Labeling involves affixing labels and registering information on books for library management. Previously, the costs for this task were often included in the book price, placing a financial burden on local bookstores. The new approach aims to alleviate this burden through separate contracts. The Ministry of Education will also guide education offices and schools to ensure effective implementation of this system in school libraries.
This year, the government will investigate the operational status of local bookstores to inform policy decisions and is pursuing legislative amendments to establish a formal certification system for local bookstores and cooperatives. Starting in 2027, the evaluation of public library operations will include criteria on collaboration with local bookstores, aiming to enhance cooperation between libraries and local bookstores.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.