By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
On May 25th, The National Digital Library will open in Banpo-dong, southern Seoul, the first such repository in the world. With more than 380,000 digitalized books and 116 million pieces of digital content, the eight-story 38,014 square-meter-large building is expected to attract both domestic and international attention.
``There are online libraries where people can log on at home or offices to enjoy reading books. There are offline libraries for reading paperback books where online content is just a section. However, I can surely say our library will be the first and the largest `physical' space to deal with online contents only,'' Mo Chul-min, director of the library, said.
The space has a multiplicity of devices that will help people find their way to ``information.'' Six hundred and twenty six computers are available for people to search got information or read electronic books, better known as e-books. There are hundreds of more seats for people to rent notebook computers from the main desk or to bring their own laptops and log into the library's main server and access data using wireless Internet connections.
Flat screen kiosks are set up at major points to introduce facilities, newly added books and to help people reserve seats and computers. There are both video and audio recording studios, where visitors can try out making their own user created contents (UCC), editing them and uploading them onto the Internet.
``We hope the devices are not used to show off, but to promote our spirit ― everyone can have equal access to all information and can even create it,'' Mo said.
He said the digital space is equipped with various devices that current libraries don't have. There are satellite TVs with touch screens as well as 24 computers operating in foreign languages such as English, French, Vietnamese and others. The so-called Multi Culture Zone will attract foreigners who haven't really had a taste of Korea's information and technology strength he added.
``Here, the Windows systems are all encoded in foreign languages and visitors can use them. Even the keyboards do not have Korean characters,'' Lee Shin-ho, a library official, said.
There is a space for disabled people, too. Screen readers and other devices to help out visually challenged people or those with physical disabilities have been installed and all desks and chairs are designed with control levels for them.
``We really welcome anyone, everyone and all people who love to read,'' Mo said.