Seoul National University Library, under the leadership of General Chief Dukjin Chang, has been recognized with the ALA 2023 Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects. This prestigious award is presented by the American Library Association (ALA) during its annual conference, which took place in Chicago from June 22-27.

SNU Library Awarded the ‘American Library Association (ALA) International Innovation Award’

ALA, established in 1876, is renowned for being the world's most prestigious library association, boasting a membership of over 65,000 individuals from the United States and around the globe. The ALA Presidential Citation acknowledges the most innovative projects in libraries worldwide. The recognition received by Seoul National University Library demonstrates the institution's commitment to pushing the boundaries of library services and leveraging technology for the benefit of its users. It also positions the LikeSNU System as a potential model for other libraries worldwide, highlighting its uniqueness, impact on library services, and potential for positive change. The LikeSNU System developed by Seoul National University Library was evaluated as outstanding for its exceptional qualities.

The LikeSNU system is a knowledge information platform harnessing the power of big data analysis. It leverages various data sources such as book history, theses, PhD theses, lectures, and syllabi of SNU members to provide personalized recommendations and guidance for learning and research purposes.

The platform, accessible at https://likesnu.snu.ac.kr, was opened in February this year and is continually evolving to enhance its functionality. In addition to benefiting SNU members, LikeSNU aims to contribute to education and academic research by developing models for knowledge cluster discovery and curriculum development. The system seeks to promote the distribution and utilization of data within the campus community and aid in rational decision-making for campus policies. The ultimate goal is to expand the system's availability and features so that it can be utilized by library users and researchers globally, extending beyond the boundaries of Seoul National University.

To celebrate this accomplishment and share Korea's first ALA International Innovation Award, the 'University Library Innovation Conference' will be held on Thursday, July 6, at the Seoul National University Central Library. This conference aims to disseminate innovative models and achievements utilizing big data in university libraries throughout the nation.

Translated by Seulki Yeo
(Department of Russian Language and Literature)
seulkiyeo@snu.ac.kr