Neighborhood Bookstore Direct Loan System, Gwanak Smart Library, Electronic Library, and Other COVID-19 Contactless Services Provided
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is promoting various library projects to bring joy and comfort to residents' daily lives through books during the tiring and difficult times of COVID-19, and to foster a reading culture throughout the local community.
The district operates a total of 39 small public libraries so that residents can naturally keep books close and easily access them anytime and anywhere.
Since the launch of the 7th local government, themed spaces have been established in five locations to strengthen the competitiveness of small libraries, including a picture book specialized library (Cheongnyong-dong), a creative activity library (Seonghyeon-dong), and a media library (Seonghyeon-dong).
The Cheongnyong-dong ‘Geurimsup Picture Book Library’ (Cheongnyong 9-gil 12-39) is a specialized library where all generations, from children to the elderly, can empathize, providing a space where anyone can communicate through picture books and rest comfortably.
‘Byeol★byeol Creative Dream Center Bonghyeon Small Library’ (Gwanak-ro 255-7), equipped with a makerspace featuring 3D printers, 3D pens, laser cutters, and other creative tools in line with the 4th Industrial Revolution era, enhances local residents’ media utilization capabilities.
Mayor Park Jun-hee stated, "By creating themed libraries that meet the diverse needs of residents, we can provide children with opportunities to experience future careers beyond simple hobbies," adding, "Library policies that reflect the changes of the times and highlight local characteristics are important."
As library closures have been prolonged due to the spread of COVID-19, various non-face-to-face services are being offered to provide a new reading environment.
The U-Library (unmanned book lending and return machines) has 264 compartments across five locations, including Seoul National University Station, allowing reserved books to be picked up and returned via unmanned lending machines.
Audio book and e-book lending services are also available using tablet PCs or smartphones without waiting. The Gwanak-gu integrated library holds over 11,000 e-book titles and about 320 audio book titles.
As the first in Seoul, the ‘Neighborhood Bookstore Direct Lending System’ allows residents to borrow new books from local bookstores, up to 5 books per person per visit and 10 books per month. On average, about 960 users borrow 1,770 books monthly. Last year, over 10,000 users borrowed more than 20,000 books, playing a vital role during library closures caused by COVID-19.
In particular, the ‘Neighborhood Bookstore Direct Lending System’ provides residents with opportunities to borrow new books and helps local bookstores, which have lost ground due to the rise of large bookstores and online distribution channels, regain vitality.
Additionally, the district supports 149 village-centered reading clubs to foster a reading culture that might otherwise shrink due to COVID-19, and runs various reading culture programs such as the ‘Starlight Hero Kang Gam-chan’ picture book YouTube storytelling program involving senior citizen job participation.
Mayor Park Jun-hee emphasized that even amid the COVID-19 crisis, the most important thing is a healthy body and mind, and the foundation of that is “reading.”
“As COVID-19 deepens isolation from neighbors and surroundings, I hope a mature reading culture will form where people read books together, share thoughts, and get to know themselves and their neighbors,” he said. “I hope that wise reading habits will heal tired bodies and minds.”
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