The Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) and the Korean Library Foundation (KLF) conducted a special check presentation ceremony and a demonstration of new Korean eBooks this morning (December 5) for invited dignitaries including Governor Neil Abercrombie and Consul General Walter K. Paik, who participated in the event at McCully-Moiliili Public Library.
Governor Abercrombie delivered the opening remarks and Consul General Paik (pronounced "Peck") presented a ceremonial check of $45,228.40 from the Government of the Republic of Korea to State Librarian Richard Burns. The generous grant provides 2,100 Korean eBooks, including adult fiction, non-fiction, essays, and children's books; 450 paperback books, an estimated 200 DVDs that will be added to the HSPLS Korean language collection, and office equipment and furniture for the Korean Library Foundation.
To access the list of Korean eBook titles, please visit www.librarieshawaii.org and select the HSPLS website's eBook webpage. HSPLS' current eBook circulation policies (ten-item limit, 3-week loan period) will apply to the Korean eBooks as well. HSPLS' Korean eBook virtual collection is managed by Kyobo Books in Korea and the website is presented in Korean, so unless the user can read Korean, it will be difficult to navigate.
Once patrons have entered their valid HSPLS library card number (and PIN if connecting from outside of Hawaii's Public Libraries), they can proceed to the account creation page. As soon as an account has been established, patrons will be able to log-in with their account and start borrowing Korean eBooks. An 8-page English translation of the Korean eBooks Terms of Use and Privacy Policy is posted on the HSPLS eBook webpage. As this site is not maintained by HSPLS staff, patrons who need technical assistance with the Korean eBook website will be referred to admin@klfhawaii.org.
The Korean Library Foundation, founded by Sook Ki and Eugene Moon in 1997, is a non-profit organization that pursues grants and donations to enhance and expand the Hawaii State Public Library System's Korean language collection. In addition, the Korean Library Foundation donates English-subtitled DVDs of popular Korean TV dramas that benefit Hawaii's residents and heighten awareness of Korean culture, history, and language.