Abstract

All public libraries are local public goods and cultural infrastructures whose ideological pillars are publicly operated, free, and open to all. This identity is justified when the public library provides various knowledge information, various programs, and community space to local residents within the service area, and ultimately contributes to the cultural development of the nation and society. To this end, the country and local governments must expand the number of individuals that meet legal standards, deploy competent professionals, and provide facilities and spaces that are easy to access and use. However, if there is a gap in infrastructure and services between regional public libraries, it causes inequality in access and use of residents, which inevitably leads to information gap and cultural welfare gap. Therefore, this study was analyzed the relative gap using the location quotient, key infrastructure indicators and service indicators of public libraries of regional government in Korea and basic local government in the Chungnam region from the viewpoint that the balanced development and capacity building of public libraries must precede the establishment of a public library in Chungnam region as a life-friendly knowledge information service institution, culture enjoyment and lifelong learning space. Based on the results, a method to resolve the gap was suggested by dividing the elements of gaps in public libraries into accessibility, core infrastructure, and services.