Abstract

As non-face-to-face elements became important due to COVID-19, the metaverse received social attention, and the MZ generation became the main users of public libraries. In light of this trend, it is necessary to introduce services for the MZ generation, the main users of public libraries, and to provide services tailored to social development. Therefore, this study investigated the perception of the metaverse through questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews, centered on the MZ generation, and then proposed a method for applying the metaverse to users in public libraries. According to the results of the study, the direction for the introduction of the metaverse in public libraries was suggested. First, it is necessary to provide basic education and information about the metaverse. Second, it is necessary to provide services that take advantage of the community based on communication. Third, a program that is not constrained by time and space should be provided. Fourth, services by librarians should be provided by enhancing the librarians’ expertise on the metaverse. Fifth, services for generation M must be provided.