Korean corner opens at library

The International Resource Center at the Flushing branch of Queens Library with the help of the Korean Overseas Information Service (KOIS) opened a Korean corner, the first area in the library designed specifically for one country.
Korean Consul General, Kim Kyung-keun and Queens Library Director, Thomas W. Galante introduced on December 17 the “Window on Dynamic Korea,” a collection consisting of over 4,000 books and multimedia material, pertaining to the history, culture and economics of Korea. KOIS also donated distinctive furniture, shelving units, and a flat-screen monitor that would be constantly streaming DVDs from the Korean section’s extensive collection.
“I am very proud that we have established a Korean corner ‘Window on Dynamic Korea’ in the Queens Library at Flushing,” the Korean Consul General said. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the staff members.”
For the past 15 years, the Queens Library system has been collecting Korea-related books, magazines, newspapers, and multimedia material, located in its 14 branches.
“Window on Dynamic Korea will be a valuable resource for people all over New York City to learn about the people and history of Korea,” Galante said. “It greatly expands the base of knowledge that we can offer library users.”
Almost all books, even unique ones, and multimedia will be available to Queens Library card holders for check out on the 3rd floor of the Flushing library on 41-17 Main Street. The Korean corner is one of eight reading rooms that KOIS has sponsored around the world and is by far the organization’s largest and most extensive donation.
Sangki Kwon, the librarian responsible for the Korean corner, said that she is glad that customers will have the chance to enjoy the extensive collection, 90 percent of which is in Hangeul, the native alphabet of Korean language.