• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.223-236
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• 2009

This study focuses on how public libraries in East Germany adjusted themselves into new environments after the unification during 15 years(1990~2005). First, system and operation of East Germany's public libraries are studied and public libraries in West and East Germany are compared before the unification. After public libraries in East Germany became unified with West Germany, the structure of East Germany's public libraries changed, many of public libraries and labor libraries were closed and collection in those libraries was discarded or replaced. Thus, it is studied how libraries enhanced their capabilities and discovered their roles or identities in changing situations in this research.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.28
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• pp.135-165
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• 1995

When the unification process was established, West German librarians formed a commission for all library and information sectors. After legal unification, the committee formed 6 Arbeitsgruppe(AG) to develop library and information policies for the country. This was designed specially to elevate the level of the East German library system to the West German standard. The first AG concerns the public libraries. The second AG focuses on the education system for library and information specialists. The third AG examines the academic libraries. The fourth AG reviews the regional and national library services and the central organization. The fifth AG explores library and information techniques. The sixth and final AG inspects the legal problem of libraries. Each AG consists of specialists from both East and West German library systems who are experts in their particular subject area. The committee has general meetings to determine the best direction for the nation's library system. Common knowledge indicates this unification was based on economical amalgamation(fusion) from East Germany to West Germany. The unification resulted in the library and information recommendations tending to favor the more advanced West German policies. In this process there are a number of subtle ideological and psychological problems. If before the separation they had developed their library system as one entity, they could overcome the current differences. with much less confusion. In this political phenomenon we can learn that cultural unification needs more time than political unification.

• Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.97-126
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• 2002

We, Korean, still remember the moment that we got so excited due to the expectation of unification between North and South Korea which turned to be failure when Kim, Il-Sung passed away in 1994. However, the recent close relationship between two Koreas has shown the remarkable improvement, and North Korea seems to be ready to expose itself to the western capitalism. The special economy zone in Sinewuiju is one of the examples showing the gradual change in N. Korea. This political change has made possible the cultural exchanges between two countries, which is similar to the process of German unification. It is absolutely necessary to learn from the previous experience happened during the German unification. We, then, need to realize how the Germany managed the problems aroused by unification Especially, the matter in integrating two different public library systems in East and West Germany is treated as a major concern through the paper. The method Germany applied on integrating two different systems was to dissolve the one in East and let it be absorbed by the one in West even the public library system in East German was known as a well-organized network. Therefore, this paper shows the process of the development of East German public library and harmonization of two different public library systems.