ISSN : 1225-598X
The number of public libraries in Korea has been increasing. However, the focus was on quantitative growth, while it did not have much interests in whether its growth trend are have deviations by region, and if that is a fact, what factors caused such a disparity. For this reason, this study analyzes spatial distribution of public libraries in Korea and its affecting factors of regional gap. As a result, public libraries are constantly distributing in the metropolitan area and the distribution of public libraries showed deviations by region. The results of analysis regarding the determinants of public libraries distribution, rate of population growth, the number of businesses and financial independence rate are found to have a positive effect but local taxes per capita are not. Especially economic power of region and financial ability of a local government are key factors of regional disparity. It shows empirically that the supply of public libraries has been determined by the convenience of suppliers.