Abstract

This study aims to investigate the current status of young adult services centering on public libraries in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongnam, identify problems, and then suggest tasks for service revitalization. The status of young adult services and librarians’ perceptions in the 93 public libraries in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam that were registered in the 2021 National Library Statistics System and the Busan Metropolitan City Library Portal was investigated. As a result of the survey, 24% of public libraries have a space for young adult, and if there is dedicated space, it was found that the most number of bookshelves for young adult were installed inside the space. Libraries that provide young adult services accounted for 76% of the total, and the age range of the service targets was set between 13 and 18 years of age. The analysis revealed that it was difficult to provide services due to a combination of problems such as poor use and passive participation by young adult, lack of dedicated space, lack of manpower for program operation, and lack of budget. Nevertheless, most librarians agreed on the need to provide young adult-only spaces and young adult services. The tasks to revitalize young adult services in public libraries was suggested; expand young adult participation in the space creation and service planning/operation stage, create a space dedicated to young adult, diversify the contents of youth volunteer activities, secure the professionalism of the librarian in charge, human resource utilization, and expand public relations for services.