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Busan Library Actively Engages with the World through “Overseas Library Exchange and Cooperation Program”

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Busan Library announced that it is actively expanding reading culture through its “Overseas Library Exchange and Cooperation Program” by engaging in exchanges with libraries in various countries, including China, Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

Since launching the program in 2014, Busan Library has been actively communicating with 16 cities in 11 countries. Over the years, it has donated a total of 20,546 books to promote Busan and share outstanding Korean publications abroad.

In 2024, Busan Library donated 100 books to the Nagasaki Prefectural Library in Japan and 1,000 high-quality children’s and recommended books about Busan and Korea to the Ho Chi Minh General Science Library in Vietnam, continuing active cultural exchange.

In 2025, the library strengthened its international ties by promoting exchange and cooperation projects with the Yokohama Central Library in Japan and the Kaohsiung Public Library in Taiwan, receiving a total of 752 donated books from overseas partners.

On September 15, Busan Library visited Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Book Donation and Library Exchange Cooperation with the Ulaanbaatar City Central Library and Director D. Nachagdorj. Through this partnership, both institutions agreed to continue donating quality Korean and Busan-related books, carry out cultural exchange activities, and expand international cooperation.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, the Director of Ulaanbaatar City Central Library, and officials from Busan Library’s Library Cooperation Team.

The main content of the agreement includes book donations between the two libraries, citizen-focused programs, sharing of best policy practices, and human exchanges based on mutual benefit to promote cultural cooperation.

To further promote international library exchanges and enhance citizen accessibility, Busan Library renovated the Overseas Book Corner at the Book Nuri Space on the 3rd floor at the end of September.
Books donated by various partner cities are displayed by country, and anyone can freely browse them.

In addition, the Overseas Book Exhibition Corner on the 2nd floor Book Maru introduces foreign books each quarter, continuously showcasing literature and culture from various countries to local residents.
From April to June this year, books donated by the Kaohsiung Public Library in Taiwan were exhibited; from July to September, books from the Nagasaki Prefectural Library in Japan were displayed to promote the partner city; and from October to December, books from the Ho Chi Minh General Science Library in Vietnam will be exhibited, introducing Vietnamese literature and culture.

Through these exhibitions, Busan Library not only introduces foreign publications but also conveys the culture and sensibility of each country, providing users with new reading experiences.

Park Eun-ah, Director of Busan Library, stated,
“The overseas library exchange and cooperation program goes beyond the simple exchange of materials—it serves as a bridge of culture. It is truly meaningful to introduce overseas books donated from various countries directly to our citizens. We will continue to provide opportunities for local residents to encounter more diverse information and cultures through ongoing exchanges with libraries around the world.”