Hansei Yes24 Cultural Foundation Donates 20 Devices, Introducing Them for the First Time in Public Libraries Nationwide at Jongno-gu Library to Support Visually Impaired Users' Easier Access to E-Books
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) held a 'Braille Device Donation Ceremony' on the 23rd in collaboration with Hanse Yes24 Cultural Foundation, pledging to join efforts to improve the reading environment for visually impaired individuals.
The ceremony was an occasion to deliver 20 devices supporting braille and voice, produced jointly by Hanse Yes24 Cultural Foundation and Yes24.
The donated devices will be introduced for the first time in a public library nationwide at the Jongno-gu Public Library, enabling visually impaired residents in the area to use the Jongno-gu Electronic Library (e-books) more freely.
In particular, with the introduction of braille devices, it is expected that new releases and bestsellers, which were difficult to obtain as braille books, can be easily read as e-books through the Jongno-gu Electronic Library.
Furthermore, the district plans to use this opportunity to promote cooperative projects linking public libraries and local libraries for the visually impaired, actively utilizing braille devices and improving the reading environment.
The plan is to gradually expand the linked libraries starting with three public libraries: ‘Cheongun Literature Library’, ‘Children and Youth National Studies Library’, and ‘Areumkkum Library’.
Meanwhile, in July, Jongno-gu expanded its electronic library services and significantly increased about 10,000 e-book titles to support residents facing difficulties using public libraries due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
This was to resolve complaints about inconvenience in borrowing books caused by continued closures and to support ongoing reading activities, providing high-quality library services that meet residents' needs.
E-books can be used anytime and anywhere without restrictions on time and place, and with the expansion of e-books, the borrowing rate has increased more than 20 times compared to last year, continuing to receive positive responses from residents.
District Mayor Kim Young-jong expressed, “I deeply thank Hanse Yes24 Cultural Foundation for providing an environment where visually impaired people can freely read e-books,” and added, “The donated devices will be used effectively for visually impaired residents in the area.”
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