[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]As outings and leaves were restricted in military units to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it has been revealed that the number of soldiers using the 'Army Electronic Library' for reading has increased.
The scene of soldiers accessing the electronic library from their barracks to download and read 'e-books' or listen to 'audiobooks' through earphones has become the 'new normal' military culture in the COVID-19 era.
According to the Army Personnel Command on the 6th, the electronic book lending service of the Army-operated electronic library began in December 2019. Last year, the total number of loans was recorded at around 170,000. About 50,000 books were loaned through the internet-based Army electronic library, and about 120,000 books were loaned through the Army Headquarters electronic library on the intranet (Defense Network).
Electronic books refer to digital books such as e-books and audiobooks that contain the text of paper books in electronic media and can be used on various electronic devices such as PCs or portable terminals.
Audiobooks, which soldiers listen to with their ears, are also gaining popularity. The '2020 Army Electronic Library Best Loaned Electronic Books,' ranked by the number of loans by the Personnel Command, showed that the top five were audiobooks. Considering soldiers' preferences, the Army plans to further increase the quantity of audiobooks in the electronic library.
The Army analyzed that the surge in soldiers' use of electronic books was largely due to the impact of COVID-19. As outings and leaves were restricted to block the virus's entry into the military, the time available to enjoy reading within the base increased. While library facilities in various units where paper books can be read are often closed, the electronic library is available anytime.
An Army official said, "The popularity of electronic books within the barracks shows that many soldiers are using the restricted outings due to COVID-19 as an opportunity for self-development through reading," adding, "The demand for electronic books is expected to increase even more this year."
In December 2019, the Army newly established the Army Electronic Library by integrating the electronic libraries of the Korea Military Academy, the Korea Army Academy at Yeongcheon, the Education Command, and the Records and Information Management Unit, and began full-scale operation from January last year. The loan ratio between officers and soldiers was about 50 to 50.
The electronic library is open to all Army soldiers, civilian employees, and cadets. After a simple membership registration and application installation process, users can borrow e-books in various fields using their mobile phones, PCs, and other devices.
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