‘Wando Gunlib Doseogwan’ Wins the Only Group Award for the Korean Library Award in Jeonnam

Recognized for Contributions to Promoting Reading Culture Including Achieving the Goal of Establishing One Library per Eup and Myeon

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] On the 12th, Jeonnam Wando County Library announced that it had won the group award at the ‘54th Korea Library Awards 2022’ hosted by the Korean Library Association.

The Korea Library Awards, boasting the highest authority in the library field in Korea, annually selects organizations and individuals who have greatly contributed to the development of libraries among about 1,300 institutions nationwide, including public libraries, university libraries, specialized libraries, and school libraries.

In this award ceremony, Wando County Library was the only public library in the Jeonnam region to receive the group award.

Since its opening in 1995, Wando County Library has played a pivotal role in revitalizing reading culture.

Currently, it supports the operation of three public libraries, including Geumil Public Library, and ten small libraries operated by private initiatives.

It also provides services for about 150,000 volumes including e-books, and has operated various projects reflecting the needs of residents such as data collection and provision, reading culture program operation, and expansion of library infrastructure in island areas.

In particular, this award was highly evaluated for achieving the goal of ‘one library per town and township’ through continuous expansion of library infrastructure, starting with Sinji Hae-sal Small Library in 2014 and culminating in the establishment of Gogeum Gosari Small Library in 2021, contributing to alleviating the reading thirst of island residents and expanding the base of reading population.

It was also recognized for its contribution to bridging knowledge and information gaps and promoting residents’ reading culture by operating various customized programs for residents, strengthening services for vulnerable groups such as multicultural families, supporting small libraries, and building a regional library network.

Jung Kwang-min, Director of Culture and Arts, said, “It is even more meaningful to receive a major award in the library field, which is a measure of the cultural sector,” and added, “I hope all residents will become happier by healing their mind and body tired from COVID-19 through libraries and books.”

Wando=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil ckp6737@asiae.co.kr