Located between the Korea University (KU) Medical Center and the College of Medicine Medical Building 1, the KU Medical Library (KUML) provides curated medical information for not only the students of the College of Medicine but also for all KU students. On April 24, the KUML won the 2020 Medical Library Award at the 53rd annual general meeting held by the Korean Medical Library Association (KMLA). Based on its long history and tradition, the KUML is now striving to become the leader in offering print and electronic resources specializing in medicine.

The KUML first opened in 1938 as the library for Kyung Sung Women’s Medical College. In March 1991, the library was reconstructed and newly opened as the KUML with the support of the alumni association of the College of Medicine and the KU Foundation. The library was designed to provide researches and educational information related to the topics of medicine, nursing, and health.

The 2020 Medical Library Award of KMLA is considered the highest award in the field of medical libraries. In particular, the KUML was acknowledged for the computer system which manages the wide-ranging collections and materials in the library. In order to organize both print and electronic data, the library established the Electronic Medical Library System (EMLS). As a database containing medical materials found in the KUML and also other medical libraries in Korea, it provides detailed and curated information for users.

Furthermore, in 2019, the library underwent a remodeling process to construct a more innovative space for learning. In this process, the KUML Renovation Committee was constituted to redesign the library with an open lounge, concentrated-studying rooms, group study rooms, and medical information centers. The new studying areas are aimed to facilitate not only focused self-studying but also active learning where students can discuss with their peers.

In addition to the study rooms, a room to research and develop medical programs utilizing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology has been implemented. Named as the AR/VR Lab, it opens opportunities for students to vividly develop creative ideas and facilitate innovate education. For instance, for students studying anatomy, using the AR and VR technology can help them to understand the structure of the human body easier and clearer in situations when they cannot view an actual body. Professor Rhyu Im-Joo (College of Medicine), the Director of KUML, mentioned that such materials can further be shared with the public, which will exert a positive influence for everyone to learn about the field of medicine.

Professor Rhyu stated, “The 2020 Medical Library Award was a result of the KUML’s faculty members’ continuous efforts to improve the systems and facilities of the library. The KUML will endeavor to become a model for future medical libraries and take a central role in medical education and research in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Indeed, the KUML is forecasted to continue to innovate in order to provide a wide variety of easily accessible medical materials for all users.