A library is a library, or so I rthought before coming to Korea. I have visited libraries in several countries in the world, and they were all very similar. So, apart from the usual linguistic hurdles, I didn't expect a big change of scene when I visited our local library in Haeundae. But still, Korea has managed to surprise me in several ways.
Registering is very simple, and free. All you need is an ID, or in my case an Alien Registration Card, proving that I am a resident of the "gu" (or district). At the Haeundae library, and at the one I visited in Yangsan, the facilities are pretty modern, with a lot of interesting tools, some of which I had never seen before. For instance, I like the "book shower" very much. It's a book sanitizer which you can use before returning a book or after borrowing it.
According to the manufacturer's website, it should be used if:
1. You coughed and sneezed while reading (influenza)
2. Fine dust covered the book, which can cause allergical reactions
3. There are traces of saliva on the pages
4. The book has an unpleasant smell
Another interesting thing is that you actually have to book a seat when you want to stay at the library for reading or studying. And of course, there's a machine, and an app, for that.
When it comes to checking in or out, as often -not to say always- in Korea, the process is automated. The first time I saw Her borrow and return books, I was actually quite amazed at how fast and simple it is.
All you need to do is go to the kiosk, scan your card, enter your pin, and place all the books on the scan pad at once. The machine will scan them in no time and print a receipt with the return date on it. And Bob's your uncle!
You may borrow up to five books at once for two weeks (they don't give extensions). That's more than I need!
Returning the books is equally simple. There are even machines in the entrance hall so you don't actually need to get inside the library (and they speak English! What more could anybody want?).
I know self check-in / checkout doesn't exist only in Korea. But it's not that common in France, and certainly not that fast! So, to me, this is yet another example of the efficiency and expeditiousness of Korean society.
What about the collections of books? After all, that's what you go to the library for. Well, in the two libraries I visited, the choice of books seems pretty extensive, but most books being in Korean, it's a little difficult for me to find something to read. All I can say is that there are a lot of books about learning Korean, English, or French. Some are even a little unexpected, like this one using the Bible to teach English.
In Yangsan,there were also quite a few novels in English (mainly the classics of British and American literature), and I didn't see that in Haeundae, but maybe I just didn't look in the right place (all the signs being in Korean, it was a little difficult for me to find my way around). Another good thing is that you can go to the library's website and request that they buy a book you like or want to read (provided it was published less than five years ago, which is why we couldn't get them to buy Her's great book, unfortunately).
All in all, these are great places for 책벌레 , or bookworms (for once, the image is the same in Korean and in English)!
