• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.67-87
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• 2021

Public library accessibility directly affects library usage, and the disproportionate distribution of accessibility is a decisive factor limiting the equitable provision of library services. In this regard, this study analyzed the spatial accessibility of public libraries in Busan and identified the factors affecting accessibility of public libraries using spatial regression analysis. As a results of the analysis, the accessibility of public libraries in the Busan showed large deviations by region. Also, spatial distribution of public libraries had no correlation with the settled population and use of public transportation, and location of public libraries was inefficient, in terms of social equity. The results of this study will assist to understand the spatial accessibility of public libraries in Busan, to identify factors that affect the accessibility. Moreover, this study is expected to be utilized as fundamental data for releasing disparities of the spatial accessibility and selecting new location of public library in Busan.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.377-397
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• 2022

The number of public libraries in Korea has been increasing. However, the focus was on quantitative growth, while it did not have much interests in whether its growth trend are have deviations by region, and if that is a fact, what factors caused such a disparity. For this reason, this study analyzes spatial distribution of public libraries in Korea and its affecting factors of regional gap. As a result, public libraries are constantly distributing in the metropolitan area and the distribution of public libraries showed deviations by region. The results of analysis regarding the determinants of public libraries distribution, rate of population growth, the number of businesses and financial independence rate are found to have a positive effect but local taxes per capita are not. Especially economic power of region and financial ability of a local government are key factors of regional disparity. It shows empirically that the supply of public libraries has been determined by the convenience of suppliers.