Mokpo Public Library Provides Book365 'Unmanned Library Service'

Mokpo Public Library has newly renovated the 'Book365' corner to provide non-face-to-face unmanned book services. Photo by Mokpo Public Library

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Mokpo Public Library announced on the 27th that it has newly renovated the ‘Book365’ corner to provide non-face-to-face unmanned book services suitable for the COVID-19 situation.

The Book365 corner is located at the entrance on the first floor of the library and includes ▲reserved book lending machines ▲unmanned book return machines ▲audiobook kiosks. It is available freely 365 days a year from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.

The reserved book lending service allows users who find it difficult to visit the library during the operating hours of the reading room to reserve desired materials through the library website and borrow books from the reserved book lending machine at night.

The unmanned book return system enables users to return borrowed books at the library entrance through the unmanned book return machine without visiting the reading room. Returns are processed in real time, promoting users’ reading activities.

The audiobook service allows users to download and use 3,839 audiobooks installed on the audiobook kiosk to their smartphones.

Director Hwang Seong-gyu stated, “Through the library’s Book365 corner in the COVID-19 era, students and local residents will be able to conveniently access library materials 365 days a year,” adding, “We hope this will contribute to fostering a reading lifestyle and cultivating a local reading culture.”