Korean Library Association

Korean Library Association
한국도서관협회
EstablishedAugust 30, 1945; 81 years ago (1945-08-30)
HeadquartersSeocho District, Seoul
FieldsLibrary science
AffiliationsInternational Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
Websitewww.kla.kr

The Korean Library Association (Korean: 한국도서관협회) is a South Korean non-profit professional library organization under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It was established on August 30, 1945, for the purposes of promoting libraries, facilitating mutual exchange of materials, conducting research on business cooperation, improving staff qualifications and promoting common interests. Its offices are located within the National Library of Korea.

The organization was originally named the Joseon Library Association, after the Joseon Dynasty. It reestablished itself with its current name after the end of the Korean War, corresponding with the country's changing national identity. The KLA joined the Internation Federation of Library Associations on 8 September 1955, and in 2024, reported over 22,000 libraries throughout the country.

In 2025, Jinwoo Lee, a former director of a library in Seongbuk District, was appointed as the 32nd KLA President, replacing Seung-jin Kwak.

Activities

World Library Information Congress

The KLA first hosted the World Library Information Congress (WLIC) in Seoul in 2006, an international event for librarians.

In 2026, the Korean Library Association is the host of the 90th World Library Information Congress (WLIC) in Busan.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Korea Library Association was established 15 days after liberation on August 15, 1945, marking i.. - MK". 매일경제. 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  2. ↑ Lee, Jinwoo (March 2026). "Solidarity born from the ruins of war: The Korean Library Association's membership in IFLA". Korean Library Association (KLA) Journal (도서관문화). 7 (2): 27–28. ISSN 1225-5521.
  3. ↑ "Ms. Jinwoo Lee Elected as the 32nd President of the Korean Library Association". IFLA. Archived from the original on 2025-06-14. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  4. ↑ "Expanding Access to the Humanities: Ministry of Culture to Operate 1,200 Humanities Programs". The Asia Business Daily. 2026-06-09. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  5. 1 2 "World Library and Information Congress to Be Held in August 2026 in Busan: Busan Ascends as a Global Epicenter for Libraries". www.busan.go.kr. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 2026-07-05.
  6. ↑ Park, Yoonyea (2024-12-15). "The Korea Library Association was established 15 days after Korea's liberation in 1945 and marks its.. - MK". 매일경제. Retrieved 2026-07-05.

Official website