In the COVID Era, 'Reading Books at Home Without Books?'

Geumcheon Miraehyanggi Small Library Digital Book Rental Service for Residents

The card-type book "The Cat That Reads Books," available for loan through the contactless lending service at Geumcheon Mirae Hyanggi Small Library.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “As soon as we insert the card, it reads the book aloud, so the children focus on the book, and some books felt like watching a play. Since the kids don’t fight, the Book Cat is the hero of our home,” said Kim ○○, a participant in the ‘Book Reading Cat’ experience group at Geumcheon Miraehyanggi Small Library.

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon) established an experience space at Miraehyanggi Small Library in July where residents can try digital books, and is operating a digital book rental service.

The digital book experience space, prepared after Miraehyanggi Small Library was selected for the ‘2020 Regional-linked Digital Book Experience Space Creation Support’ project hosted by the Korea Publication Culture Promotion Agency, is equipped with 10 ‘Book Reading Cat’ devices, 800 types of ‘Card-type Picture Books,’ and over 300 types of ‘Smart The Book,’ along with various digital content and equipment.

The library planned to start full services in August, but due to the closure of the library amid the spread of COVID-19, it recruited a ‘Book Reading Cat’ experience group to allow residents to experience digital book content at home and began a safe lending service.

Any local resident can rent digital books such as the ‘Book Reading Cat’ device, ‘Card-type Books,’ and ‘Smart The Book’ through the safe lending service.

‘Smart The Book’ is an audio book that can be read using a smartphone app, making it a ‘listening paper book.’ It provides an easy and convenient opportunity to access books for everyone from elementary students who are reluctant to read to adults.

Residents who want to use the digital book safe lending service can apply through the Geumcheon Miraehyanggi Small Library Naver Band or make a reservation by phone.

Once the COVID-19 situation ends, the library plans to provide various e-book experience services such as ‘Large Print Audiobooks,’ ‘Book Reading Cat,’ and ‘Samgukji Classic Audiobooks’ to daycare centers, local children’s centers, disability organizations, and family residents through the ‘Knock! Knock! E-book Experience Center’ program.

Mayor Yoo Seong-hoon said, “In line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution era, we will do our best to modernize library services so that local residents can access various digital content through the library.”

For more information, please contact the Geumcheon-gu Office Culture and Sports Division or Miraehyanggi Small Library.