Operating 68 Libraries... 9 More Added by 2024 to Become Korea's Largest 'Library City'
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Where is the place with the most libraries in Busan? And where will be the place with the most libraries in South Korea in the future?
If you answer Gijang-gun, you are correct. Currently, Gijang-gun has the highest number of libraries used by residents, including public libraries and small libraries, among the 16 districts and counties of Busan.
There are large and small libraries all over Gijang. Gijang-gun is also accelerating the construction of community-based libraries.
Currently, Gijang-gun has seven public libraries: ▲Gijang Library, ▲Jeonggwan Library, ▲Jeonggwan Children's Library, ▲Daera Multipurpose Library, ▲Gijang Digital Library, ▲Gochon Eoullim Library, and ▲Naeri Saera Library. In addition, 61 small libraries are operating mainly in apartment complexes closely connected to residents' living areas. That makes a total of 68 libraries.
Moreover, seven public libraries are being promoted as complex cultural spaces so that residents can enjoy knowledge, information, and culture near their homes, and two small libraries are being added by rearranging existing facilities.
By the end of this year, there will be as many as 77 libraries in Gijang-gun.
In Gijang-eup, there are two locations: ▲Gyori Bit·Mul·Kkum Comprehensive Social Welfare Center and ▲Gijang-eup Administrative Welfare Center; in Jangan-eup, there is one location inside ▲Jangan-eup Administrative Welfare Center; in Jeonggwan-eup, there is one location at ▲Jeonggwan Edu Park; in Ilgwang-myeon, there are two locations: ▲Ilgwang Library and ▲Ilgwang Bit·Mul·Kkum Education and Culture Town; in Cheolma-myeon, there is one location at ▲Cheolma Urban Agriculture Park, totaling seven public libraries. Additionally, two small libraries are planned and being constructed as regionally specialized libraries by securing spare spaces at the Seaweed Breeding Convergence Center and the Agricultural Technology Center.
When combining all libraries operated, under construction, or planned in Gijang-gun, there will be 14 public libraries and 63 small libraries, making it a local government with libraries throughout the city.
While the average number of public libraries in Busan's local governments is 2.5, Gijang-gun currently has seven, which other local governments can hardly even dream of.
Gijang is a library city. By 2024, the number of public libraries will increase to 14, making it the top library city in South Korea.
Gijang-gun is continuously expanding library infrastructure to develop libraries not simply as places to read books but as complex cultural spaces where knowledge, information, and culture can be enjoyed.
In the future, whenever there is a new public facility or spare space, libraries equipped with cutting-edge content and facilities will be established.
Oh Gyuseok, the mayor of Gijang-gun, says, "Libraries are the 'barometer' that represents the dignity of a city."
He believes that through libraries, residents communicate and interact to create a healthy local community.
Mayor Oh also thinks that by allocating library management personnel, it can be linked to job creation and contribute to revitalizing the local economy.
He believes, "Just as you visit a museum to see the past of a region, visit a market to see its present, and visit a library to see its future, libraries are the future growth engine."
Building more libraries to complete the best library city in South Korea is one of the pledges Mayor Oh has personally made from his heart.
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