Visits to public libraries rise as new branches open

Korea’s public libraries drew more than 230 million visits last year, a 2.8 percent increase from 2024, as the number of branches rose to 1,328, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Friday. The ministry released the findings jointly with the Korean Library Association in its 2026 National Public Library Statistical Survey, a state-approved survey covering library performance data from 2025. The number of public libraries nationwide rose by 32, or 2.5 percent, from 2024, bringing the average population served per branch down to 38,492 — about 1,000 fewer than a year earlier. Borrowing held steady at about 140 million volumes, roughly in line with the previous year. Cultural and reading programs averaged 92 per branch annually, with total participation rising 6.8 percent from a year earlier. Library collections grew to about 126.11 million volumes, a 1.4 percent increase, bringing per capita holdings to 2.47 books. The number of full-time librarians rose 3.4 percent to 6,276, reducing the population per librarian to 8,145. Total library expenditures reached approximately 1.5

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