2026 Cultural Partnership Initiative (CPI)

Workshop for Overseas Librarians

Description and Application Guidelines

※ Please read this guideline carefully before you fill out the application form.

Since 2005, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea has been implementing a long‐term cultural exchange project called the Cultural Partnership Initiative (CPI) in order to promote intercultural ties and understanding among countries around the world.

The National Library of Korea (NLK) is a affiliated organization of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea. As part of the CPI program, the National Library of Korea has been running the ‘Education and Training Program for Overseas librarians’ since 2006. So far, 67 librarians from 23 countries have participated in the program.

In 2026, to provide a more intensive and globally connected experience, the workshop will be integrated with the IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) 2026 held in Busan, Korea. Through WLIC sessions and individual presentations at the NLK, participants will be able to more effectively understand the current status of global and Korean libraries, as well as engage in professional exchange.

1. Workshop Information

The objective of this workshop is to provide library professionals from overseas national, public, or university libraries with an intensive capacity-building workshop to enhance their professional expertise in advanced library services. It also aims to promote global mutual understanding through cultural exchange, build up a strong personal network among library professionals, and share insights on the future of library services.

Workshop Participants and Duration

· Participants: Up to 4 librarians from Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries

· Duration: August 9 (Sun) - August 15 (Sat), 2026 (1 week / 6 nights and 7 days)

Workshop Highlights

· Full Registration for IFLA WLIC 2026 in Busan

· Professional librarian program at the NLK (Seoul)

- Special Lectures from the NLK

　- Insight Sharing (Individual presentation by participants)

　- Library tour

2. Application Requirements

The application guidelines and forms can be downloaded from the following link:

https://inkslib.nl.go.kr/IN/contents/I10200000000.do

Application Deadline

· All materials must be submitted to the National Library of Korea by April 24, 2026.

How to Submit

· Please submit all required application documents via email to: cpikorea@korea.kr

(※ Hard copies or fax submissions will NOT be accepted.)

Selection Criteria

· Currently employed at a national, public, or university library in an ODA recipient country.

· At least 2 years of experiences as a librarian

· Recommendation from the current head of the library

· Advanced proficiency in English. (Crucial requirement: Participants must be able to attend international WLIC sessions and deliver an individual presentation in English)

· Willingness and ability to share what is learned while the workshop with other participants from various countries and institutions

· Excellent communication skills

· The participant’s home institution’s demonstrated commitment to support sharing activities (Training seminars, workshops, etc.).

Application Information

· Applications must be complete, received within the stated deadline, include all required attachments, and contain official confirmation.

· The application form must be completed in English, and should be typewritten.

· Please submit the following documents by order.

Additional Application Information

· Short-listed applicants will be interviewed via online video call for selecting the final participants.

· A draft of the presentation slides (focusing on your library’s challenges) will be requested separately ONLY from the final selected participants in July. The final slides will be completed during the workshop.

· All participants have the responsibility and duty to abide by all rules and instructions, and to completely focus on the workshop.

· Participants are required to attend the workshop from August 9 to 15, 2026, and late participation or early departure will not be allowed.

· The entire schedule is subject to change depending on the situation.

 

3. Financial Support

The National Library of Korea will fully cover the cost of:

· Round-trip airfare

※ Please note that the flight ticket will be issued as a multi-city route (Final arrival at Gimhae Int'l Airport in Busan / Departure from Incheon Int'l Airport near Seoul). The domestic travel from Busan to Seoul via KTX will be arranged and provided by the NLK.

· Accommodation for the entire schedule (6 nights)

· IFLA WLIC 2026 Registration Fee

· Traveler’s insurance

4. Information

If you would like to know more about the workshop, please visit following websites or feel free to contact us via email below.

· National Library of Korea: www.nl.go.kr

· International Network for Korean Studies Librarians: inkslib.nl.go.kr