- National Library of Korea to train around 35,000 librarians nationwide starting February through a structured up-skilling program
- Strong emphasis on AI, data analytics, and digital competencies to improve job efficiency and modern library services
- Blended learning approach combining in-person workshops and online courses to support evolving library roles and career growth
The National Library of Korea has announced a large-scale training program to equip librarians with future-ready skills in artificial intelligence, data, and digital services. Starting February, the program will reach around 35,000 library professionals across the country through 95 courses and 154 training sessions.
The initiative includes 44 classroom-based sessions and 110 e-learning modules, allowing working professionals to learn flexibly. The program builds on the library’s long-standing role in librarian retraining, a responsibility it has held since 1983, and reflects the growing need for digital skills in today’s knowledge-driven economy.
A key highlight this year is the expansion of AI and data education. AI-focused training will cover nine courses across 14 sessions and is expected to train about 2,000 participants. These sessions emphasize practical workplace applications such as report writing, content creation, chatbot development, and simple web tools to improve user services and operational efficiency.
Data training will include 13 courses and 26 sessions for nearly 3,000 librarians. Participants will gain hands-on experience in data collection, analysis, and visualization, helping libraries make informed, data-driven decisions and improve service planning.
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Alongside digital skills, the program continues to strengthen core library competencies. Courses will cover collection management, cataloging, preservation, and restoration. Communication and leadership training, including user service enhancement and library management programs, will help librarians grow into supervisory and leadership roles.
The National Library of Korea also plans to expand its digital learning ecosystem by converting popular offline courses into online formats. This approach supports continuous learning and improves access for librarians nationwide.
Details on course schedules and applications are available on the Librarian Education Portal.
