Mapo Central Library's Delightful Transformation... Opening of Digital Creative Space 'Mamapeul'

[Seoul District News] Mapo Central Library Opens Shared Space Stimulating Imagination and Communication from the 26th · Composed of Forum VR, Brick Studio, Kitchen Studio, Online Application on Website... 8 Types of 5,600 Flowers Planted at Geumcheon-gu Office Plaza, Health Center, Temporary Screening Clinic... Jung-gu Launches Resident Mental Health Doctor Project

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, experiencing Mamaple's 'Forum VR'

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced that it will open ‘Mama-ple,’ a shared digital creative space for learning through play, on the 2nd floor of Mapo Central Library on the 26th.

The district is aiming to transform its public libraries in preparation for the 4th Industrial Revolution era. In January, it opened the media creation space ‘Sangsangnaru’ at Mapo Sogeumnaru Library, followed by remodeling the children’s reading room at Mapo Central Library in February, and now with the opening of ‘Mama-ple,’ it plans to meet the diverse educational and cultural needs of residents.

‘Mama-ple’ is an abbreviation for ‘Mapo Making & Playing Place,’ a space of approximately 170㎡ where any Mapo resident can create digital works.

The available facilities include ‘Forum VR,’ where participants experience stories in virtual reality and decide the ending; ‘Brick Studio,’ a combination of LEGO and video technology; and ‘Kitchen Studio,’ a kitchen from movies found in the library.

Use of ‘Mama-ple’ is free with prior registration through the Mapo Central Library website (Information Plaza ? Mama-ple ? Experience Application). For inquiries about programs on the opening day, contact the Education Center team at Mapo Central Library.

On the 23rd of last month, ahead of the opening of ‘Mama-ple,’ Mapo-gu Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun visited the site and said, “Until now, Mapo Central Library was the nation’s first future-oriented library equipped with a ‘Youth Education Center,’ but from now on, it must also serve as a convergence library with a citizen-centered digital creative space.” He added, “We will strive to lead books, digital, and educational culture and serve as a community hub to improve the quality of life for residents.”

‘Mama-ple’ Program Guide: ‘Forum VR’ ? A Virtual Reality Story Where Participants Decide the Ending

Forum VR is a program where one participant wearing a VR device enters a fairy tale story, and five other participants use tablet PCs to discuss and vote to decide the actions of the participant, leading to one of various possible endings.

After the program experience, participants can engage in discussions related to the Forum VR program using six types of workbooks (self-study guidebooks) provided by Mapo Central Library.

Opposite the children’s reading room, a separate book curation (selection and exhibition of books on specific themes) is arranged to provide various books necessary for discussions.

‘Brick Studio’ ? The Meeting of LEGO and Video Technology

Brick Studio is equipped with various LEGO bricks and props. Participants can create their own LEGO creations and combine them with three backgrounds?space, ocean, and nature?to make their own videos.

The videos are created using the ‘stop-motion’ technique, a video shooting method that captures the LEGO pieces slightly moved in front of the background to make them appear as if they are moving.

Video shooting is conducted using a dedicated tablet PC that allows file transfer and sharing, and anyone can easily edit videos through the ‘Stop Motion Animation’ app.

‘Kitchen Studio’ ? A Movie Kitchen Found in the Library

Kitchen Studio is a space designed as an open kitchen that could appear in a drama, where participants from toddlers to adults can join together. Attention to detail is evident in the adjustable heights of the workbench, chairs, and sink to suit users.

The kitchen is equipped with cooking utensils such as ovens, hand blenders, and electronic scales to support content production on various themes and cooking education programs.

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon) planted bright spring flowers to bring vitality to residents visiting the district office and health center in celebration of spring.

Geumcheon-gu planted 5,600 flowers of eight spring-blooming species, including poppies, daisies, and violas, in front of the district office plaza, the health center, and the temporary screening clinic to allow visitors to feel the fresh spring atmosphere.

Additionally, around April, hanging flower pots will be installed at the Siheung-daero bus stops as part of a full-scale effort to create beautiful flower paths in Geumcheon-gu.

Starting with this spring flower planting, Geumcheon-gu plans to promote emotional stability for citizens and improve urban aesthetics throughout the year with distinctive flowers suitable for each season.

Geumcheon-gu Mayor Yoo Sung-hoon said, “I hope the fragrance of flowers heralding the new spring and the beautiful scenery will help residents heal their tired minds and regain vitality, even if just a little.”

Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seo Yang-ho) is launching the ‘Mental Health Primary Care Physician’ project from this month to address residents’ concerns.

The ‘Mental Health Primary Care Physician’ project provides professional evaluation counseling for local residents experiencing mental health difficulties, aiming to reduce prejudice and barriers to psychiatric treatment and to detect mental health issues early for active therapeutic intervention.

Evaluation counseling is conducted by a psychiatrist from Seoul National University Hospital’s Department of Mental Health at the Jung-gu Mental Health Welfare Center every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. Counseling is available not only to Jung-gu residents but also to students and workers attending schools or workplaces located in Jung-gu. Counseling is provided once per person and is free of charge.

Depending on the counseling results, individuals can receive tailored services based on symptoms and diagnosis. If ongoing counseling or treatment is needed, information on treatment institutions will be provided, or counseling services through registration management at the Jung-gu Mental Health Welfare Center may be offered.

For counseling applications, contact the Jung-gu Mental Health Welfare Center.

The Jung-gu Mental Health Welfare Center is actively promoting various projects to enhance residents’ mental health, including support for alcohol addiction recovery, suicide prevention, child and adolescent mental health promotion, and psychological support counseling services for COVID-19 confirmed patients and response personnel.

Jung-gu Mayor Seo Yang-ho said, “People visit hospitals even for minor physical ailments, but many hesitate to seek counseling or treatment when their minds hurt. I hope the ‘Mental Health Primary Care Physician’ project lowers the threshold for mental health treatment and provides residents with an opportunity to care for their mental health without burden.”