[Interview] Lee Seong, Guro-gu Mayor: "This Year, 119 More Libraries Make Us a Leading 'Education and Culture City'"

Developed as a Multifunctional Cultural Complex... Nearly Tripled Compared to Early Term... Cheonwangsan Book Shelter Opened on the 23rd, 3-Story Library Construction Started Near Sindorim Station on the 28th... This Year, Hangdong Green Arboretum, Seoul Art Chaekbogo, Smart Library Opened... Libraries Tailored for Disabled and Children Also Noteworthy

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] "'As Bill Gates said, '80% of what made me was the neighborhood library,' the importance of libraries cannot be overstated."

In an interview with this publication, Lee Sung, Mayor of Guro District, said, "We are establishing libraries not only as centers of reading culture but also as complex cultural spaces with various functions such as healing and welfare, positioning Guro District as an 'educational and cultural city.' Libraries should now be places for rest as well as reading."

Mayor Lee, who has consistently worked to expand libraries, increased the number of libraries from fewer than 40 at the beginning of his term to 113, nearly tripling them. Not only has the number of libraries increased, but their forms and types have also diversified.

On the 23rd of last month, Guro District opened the 'Cheonwangsan Chaekswimteo' (Cheonwangsan Book Resting Place), a 290.43㎡ facility in Hang-dong 149 area. Cheonwangsan Chaekswimteo includes a library, a book caf?, and a nursing room, and a park for walking was created around the book resting place.

Mayor Lee explained, "Through experiential facilities such as Cheonwangsan Camping Site, Ecological Forest, Guro Smart Farm Center, Urban Agriculture Experience Center, and Artificial Rock Climbing Wall located near Cheonwangsan Chaekswimteo, it will be a healing library where culture and nature can be enjoyed at once."

Furthermore, on the 28th, construction began on a three-story public library at Exit 2 of Sindorim Station, a place with heavy foot traffic. It is expected to serve as a community hub for local residents and office workers commuting through Sindorim Station.

In addition, various libraries are set to open throughout Guro. In Hang-dong, where the population has rapidly increased due to housing development, the Hang-dong Pureunsumokwon Library will be established, and Seoul Art Chaekbogo will be created in the basement of Gocheok Sky Dome. Next year, the Gaebong 1-dong Care Specialized Library, which provides both reading culture facilities and childcare services, will be built, and on the former site of the correctional facility in Gocheok-dong, an administrative complex including a library, health living support center, lifestyle culture center, and community care center will be constructed with two basement floors and eight above-ground floors.

The Complex Cultural Town, which will house a library, care center, and a hub-type village vitality center on the site of the KBS transmission station in Gaebong-dong, will begin construction in August this year.

Mayor Lee emphasized, "We will create distinctive libraries by organically linking the surrounding natural environment and facilities, going beyond simply utilizing idle spaces for library creation."

Customized libraries for people with disabilities and children who need care are also attracting attention. In December last year, the 'Noisy Library,' a specialized library for people with developmental disabilities, opened. The 96㎡ Noisy Library, opened at the Guro Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, is a space for people with developmental disabilities who find it difficult to use the quiet atmosphere of general libraries.

Various types of children-only libraries are also a point of pride. These include the 'Geulmaru Hanok Children's Library,' Seoul's first traditional Hanok library opened in Gaebong-dong in 2011; the 'Gung-dong Children's Library,' harmonized with nature in Gung-dong Ecological Park opened in 2017; and the 'Miracle Library,' the 100th library in Guro District, built in 2019, which combines a daycare center and a library.

Smart libraries for subway users are also being expanded. In addition to the existing installations at Cheonwang Station, Sindorim Station, Gaebong Station, and Oryu-dong Station, new smart libraries will be added this year at Guil Station, Onsu Station, and Namguro Station.

Mayor Lee said, "We expect the number of libraries in Guro to increase to a total of 119 this year. We will do our best to create vibrant libraries equipped with the functions residents want and realize a first-class educational and cultural city."