Healing 'Corona Blue'... Author Im Kyung-sun's Lecture on 'Values That Make Me Live Now'

[Seoul District News] Dongjak-gu Public Library, 58th Library Week Commemoration 'Meeting with Authors' Simultaneously Held Online and Offline ▲ Author Im Gyeongseon Lecture on 'Values That Make Me Live Now' ▲ Independent Bookstore 'Baramgil Bookstore' CEO Lecture, etc.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] A study has revealed that the search volume for words such as ‘depression’ and ‘lethargy’ has increased on portal sites since the COVID-19 pandemic. The prolonged COVID-19 situation has heightened stress and anxiety across society.

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) announced on the 12th that it will operate various online and offline reading culture programs centered around the district public libraries to offer warm comfort to residents exhausted by COVID-19.

In particular, considering that the period from April 12 to 18 every year is designated as ‘Library Week’ by the Korean Library Association, the programs have been prepared more abundantly.

On April 15, a lecture by author Lim Kyung-sun titled ‘The Values That Keep Me Going Now’ will be held. This lecture, conducted in a book talk format, can be participated in real-time through the Dongjak Cultural Foundation’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m.

Following that, on April 20 at 3 p.m., a meeting with Park Soo-hyun, the representative of the independent bookstore ‘Baramgil Bookstore,’ is scheduled. Despite the recent COVID-19 recession, the growth of independent bookstores continues. Many people find comfort in browsing books curated according to the bookstore owner’s taste.

This lecture will deliver vivid stories about operating an independent bookstore and a one-person publishing company. Participation is possible both on-site through prior registration and via the library’s Instagram live.

In addition, the district plans to take the lead in mental health care during COVID-19 by sequentially hosting meetings with various authors including Hong Min-jung, author of ‘Cat Troubleshooter Kkamnyang’; Jeong Jin-ho, author of ‘Heartbeat’; Yoo Seol-hwa, author of ‘Super Turtle’; Kim Kyung-hee, author of ‘It’s Okay, Mister’; and reading culture planner Kwon In-geol. Other programs include original picture book exhibitions, bookmark-making experiences, and a double book loan service in celebration of World Book Day.

Details on how to participate and the full program information can be found on the Dongjak-gu Integrated Library website.

Meanwhile, the district has been striving to expand public libraries by region to create cultural infrastructure accessible to everyone nearby. During the 7th local government term, Kim Young-sam Library (Sangdo area) and Kkamangdol Library (photo, Heukseok area) have been opened, and the Shindaebang-dong Complex Library is scheduled for completion in June.

With this, the district will secure a representative library in every residential area.

Lee Chang-woo, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, said, “I hope the programs prepared by the public libraries will help heal the tired hearts of our residents even a little,” and added, “We will continue to do our best to expand infrastructure so that no resident is excluded from cultural benefits.”