Why Geumcheon-gu Malgeunnuri Small Library Became a 'Tourist Spot for Exploration'?

Emerging as a Benchmark for Other Local Governments in Planning and Operating High-Level Reading Culture Programs

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Malgeunnuri Small Library, located in Siheung 1-dong, Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yuseonghun), is emerging as a new "small library exploration hotspot."

In August last year, the Library Policy Team of Seodaemun-gu Office visited, followed by the Seodaemun-gu Cultural Foundation in May this year, and the Yangcheon-gu Residents' Autonomy Committee in November for benchmarking excellent cases.

Malgeunnuri Small Library became a benchmarking target for other local governments after being selected for the 2020 Resident Writer Support Project and operating excellent reading culture programs, which were introduced through various media outlets and residents' personal blogs and SNS.

Located on the 5th floor of the Siheung 1-dong Community Center, Malgeunnuri Small Library has operated education based on mutual recognition that respects differences. It has also taken the lead in alleviating the intellectual thirst of local residents by developing diverse book collections and planning high-quality reading culture programs.

The most popular program is the "Chaebinuri Program," meaning "Let's enjoy our beautiful life by filling and emptying." Participants read books selected according to weekly themes, reflect on their inner selves, share, and comfort each other's wounds. In 2019, the library operated "Chaebinuri - Art Edition," combining books and art, and in October this year, "Chaebinuri - Plant Edition," combining books and plants, was held to heal residents exhausted by COVID-19.

Additionally, the library develops and operates unique reading culture programs such as the multicultural education program "Gather, Global Village" and the reading culture program for seniors aged 65 and over, "Throbbing My Life."

"Malgeunnuri Small Library" is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on weekends and public holidays.

Yuseonghun, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, "We will continue to operate various reading culture programs so that local residents can cultivate their humanities literacy with the small library as a base."