Gangbuk-gu, Small Human Rights Library Renovation Completed

Gangbuk-gu Small Human Rights Library Renovated... Touchscreen Installed for Viewing Human Rights Videos

Various videos including human rights web dramas, human rights education, human rights case decisions, and human rights news are available

13 human rights films can be viewed on the 3rd floor of Gangbuk Cultural Information Library

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) has renovated the Small Human Rights Library and installed a touchscreen where various human rights content videos can be viewed.

The Small Human Rights Library, opened last June on the 1st floor of Gangbuk Cultural Information Library (145 Ohyeon-ro, Gangbuk-gu), is a small library within the library, housing about 300 books on various human rights topics such as children, women, minorities, and labor rights.

The district renovated the Small Human Rights Library to improve accessibility to human rights and raise human rights-friendly awareness. Previously, the Small Human Rights Library was a place where books were placed using the bookshelf near the entrance, often perceived as just one of many programs rather than a library.

Accordingly, the district expanded and relocated the Small Human Rights Library to a separate space on the 1st floor of Gangbuk Cultural Information Library, using wooden structures that give a warm feeling, in line with the purpose of a human rights library.

Additionally, to diversify human rights content, a touchscreen allowing access to various human rights-related videos was installed last December, in addition to the existing books.

Visitors to the library can watch various videos related to human rights such as web dramas, human rights education, human rights case decisions, and human rights news through the touchscreen.

The district also introduces 13 different human rights films via the touchscreen. Those wishing to watch can borrow DVDs at the integrated desk on the 1st floor of Gangbuk Cultural Information Library and view them in the electronic information room on the 3rd floor.

The district plans to conduct a survey of Small Human Rights Library users until March to improve the human rights content video touchscreen project.

Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “We installed a touchscreen where many people can easily access short videos about human rights,” adding, “We will continue to introduce various policies to raise interest and awareness about human rights.”

Yangcheon-gu Renovates Three Old Youth Reading Rooms into ‘Study Cafes’

Shinwol 1-dong Youth Reading Room Transformed into a ‘Study Cafe’ with Modern Seats and Study Rooms. Opens on January 10

Daily usage fee reduced to 500 KRW to ease financial burden, unmanned kiosk enables one-stop seat search and payment

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Ki-jae) announced plans to renovate three of its four public youth reading rooms into smart study cafes. Among them, the old and outdated Shinwol 1-dong Youth Reading Room will be remodeled into a trendy ‘Study Cafe’ tailored to the preferences of the MZ generation and will begin full operation from January 10.

After two months of construction starting last November, the ‘Shinwol 1-dong Youth Reading Room (8 Nambusunhwan-ro 59-gil)’ has been reborn as a high-quality learning space representing the Shinwol-dong area, breaking away from the previously closed reading room atmosphere to a bright, open learning space with convenient seating.

The interior facilities located on the 3rd and 4th floors cover 300.4㎡ and include ▲57 individual seats ▲two group study rooms for 6 and 8 people (14 seats) ▲self-directed learning consulting space (8 seats) ▲and counseling rooms. An unmanned kiosk and integrated management program have been introduced, allowing users to register, search seats in real-time, and make payments (by card) all in one place.

Notably, the daily usage fee at Shinwol 1-dong Youth Reading Room is only 500 KRW. Considering that private study cafes charge an average of 3,000 to 4,000 KRW for two hours, this is a remarkably affordable price. The district aims to help local youth study in a high-quality environment without financial burden, enabling them to plan their dreams and hopes together.

The district plans to expand ‘customized admission, career, and study counseling’ by dispatching professional counselors to the youth reading rooms in cooperation with the Yangcheon-gu Career Experience Center, targeting local youth and parents. Additionally, the space will be used for the ‘Seoul Learn’ program, providing online learning content and customized mentoring.

Operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month and on legal holidays. Yangcheon-gu also plans to sequentially remodel the Mok 4-dong and Sinjeong 7-dong Youth Reading Rooms in the first half of this year to expand smart learning spaces.

Lee Ki-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “I hope this space will serve as a dream place where youth in Shinwol-dong can nurture their dreams for the future,” adding, “We will continue to promote educational policies that allow each child to fully blossom their abilities, talents, and skills, striving to become ‘Education Special District Yangcheon-gu.’”

Jungnang-gu’s Cradle of Education, Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center, Operates ‘2023 Winter Vacation Education Program’

Programs for elementary, middle, and high school students, plus family courses with parents

Free tuition, applications available on Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center website

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) is operating the ‘2023 Winter Vacation Program’ until February at the Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center for students on winter break.

The winter vacation program consists of courses for elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as family courses that parents can participate in together.

First, a family program is offered for all elementary students, including prospective first graders. It includes the ‘Heart Communication Camp’ to help communication and empathy within families, and various educational fields such as math, art, film, history, and coding that families can enjoy together.

Various career and admission programs are also available for middle school students. These include a ‘Career Concert’ where students can experience six different jobs, job experience programs such as webtoon artist and TELLO drone filming, and major mentoring classes helpful for admission. Students from Hongik University, Soongsil University, and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will conduct lectures introducing majors and practical sessions in art, chemistry, and English education.

A ‘Career & Admission Camp’ is also held for prospective high school freshmen and sophomores to help with academic planning through special lectures and group activities, aiming to ease students’ concerns about career and admission.

Additionally, reading support programs for exploring philosophical books and Western classics are prepared by grade level.

All educational programs are free, and any students and parents in the area can participate. Applications and detailed information are available on the Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center website.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “I hope this winter vacation program helps students reduce worries about career and admission and clearly envision their future,” adding, “We will continue to actively utilize the Bang Jeong-hwan Education Support Center to operate various programs so that all residents can enjoy the joy of learning.”