From this year, support for book purchase expenses will be provided to private small libraries... Related ordinances are also scheduled to be enacted
Leading the spread of reading culture through support for expanding smart libraries and revitalizing reading clubs
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh), selected as the 5th Preliminary Cultural City by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism last year, is expanding reading infrastructure for "Reading Seongdong" in 2023.
Seongdong-gu operates seven public libraries and 16 public small libraries, and has taken the lead in creating a reading environment for residents by installing "Chaekmaru" libraries at Seongdong-gu Office, Seongsu Art Hall, and Dokseodang Humanities Academy.
This year, the district plans to take a step further as a high-quality cultural city by providing more meticulous and substantial support not only to public libraries established by region but especially to public and private "small libraries."
Notably, support will also be provided to strengthen the public nature of private small libraries. The importance of small libraries is growing as they contribute to increasing residents' access to knowledge and information and serve as a "saranggabang" (community gathering place) that performs a networking function in the local community.
Until now, private small libraries have not received support at the district level, but from this year, a budget for the "Regional Hub Small Library Revitalization" project has been secured, and for the next four years, separate support such as book purchase expenses will be provided to 12 private small libraries in the region.
The district is also preparing to enact an ordinance containing regulations necessary for fostering, operating, and supporting small libraries, which is expected to be finalized through the district council by the end of this month.
Unmanned smart libraries will also be expanded. As more residents find it difficult to visit libraries due to busy daily lives, the need for unmanned smart libraries is increasing, prompting this measure.
Currently, four unmanned smart libraries are operating in Seongdong-gu by region. The district plans to analyze floating population and traffic volume, finalize installation sites within the first half of this year, and proceed with additional installations.
In addition, Seongdong-gu will promote ▲support for reading club activities ▲creation of specialized libraries for people with developmental disabilities. First, support for reading clubs, which serve as places for exchange and communication among residents through books and as learning spaces for free discussion and knowledge acquisition, will continue.
Following support for 39 reading clubs through a public contest last year, the district will start the 2023 reading club revitalization project contest from the end of February, providing support for various reading experiences such as book concerts and meetings with authors.
Also, a specialized library for people with developmental disabilities, whose care needs are rapidly increasing, will be established. The specialized library will be designed as a space where people with developmental disabilities or "slow learners" with borderline intelligence, who have difficulties using libraries due to vocal expressions or challenging behaviors, can comfortably use the facility. It is scheduled to open in Doseon-dong in March.
Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, "Expanding reading infrastructure and reading culture is an essential task for Seongdong-gu, which aims to become a cultural city where everyone enjoys public services together." He added, "Seongdong-gu will continue to provide multifaceted support to create an environment where residents can be close to books in their daily lives and experience rich reading opportunities."
Park Kang-soo, Mayor of Mapo-gu, Conducts On-site Preliminary Inspection of 'Hongdae Red Road'
On the afternoon of the 13th, Park Kang-soo, Mayor of Mapo-gu, personally conducted an on-site inspection ahead of the road painting project for Hongdae Red Road.
On this day, Mayor Park inspected the entire section of Red Road with officials, thoroughly checking preliminary work such as protecting street trees and removing unnecessary bollards, as well as facilities to enhance convenience, including uniquely designed public restrooms and smoking booths.
Hongdae "Red Road" is a themed street project connecting the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail, Hongdae Walking Street, and Danginri Power Plant, featuring a color design centered on red, symbolizing "youth" and "passion."
Through this, Mapo-gu expects to revitalize the commercial district of Hongdae, a cultural and artistic tourism special zone, and promote long-term regional development of Mapo.
Park Kang-soo, Mayor of Mapo-gu, conveyed a request to do their best to create the Red Road in the Hongdae area, Mapo's largest tourist destination, improve infrastructure, and revitalize the Hongdae cultural and artistic tourism special zone.
Dongdaemun-gu Produces and Distributes Integrated Public Job Guidebook
Introducing a total of 53 projects including 38 public jobs and 9 employment and startup support services
Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) announced that it has produced and distributed the "Easy-to-Understand! Dongdaemun-gu Public Job Guidebook," which allows residents to check public job projects currently underway or repeated annually at a glance, and posted it on the district website.
The guidebook consists of five fields: ▲public jobs ▲employment support services ▲startup support services ▲job placement centers ▲social enterprise promotion projects.
In the public jobs field, detailed information on 38 public job projects, recruitment periods, number of recruits, salary conditions, work periods, and contact information are included to resolve job seekers' questions.
In the "employment support services" field, services that cultivate necessary competencies for employment, such as practical fashion sewing training and metaverse creator development projects leading the 4th industrial revolution, are introduced. The "startup support services" field introduces various startup support projects to help young people start businesses more stably in Dongdaemun-gu.
This integrated public job guidebook was produced in booklet form rather than foldable to be easy to read for middle-aged and older adults. It is organized by regular, occasional, and short-term recruitment periods for each project so that residents who want to participate do not miss application schedules. It will be especially helpful for seniors who have difficulty searching online.
Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, "Although there are many public jobs implemented by the district, related information has been scattered across departments, making it difficult for job seekers to obtain job information."
He added, "By utilizing the 'Easy-to-Understand! Dongdaemun-gu Public Job Guidebook,' we hope residents can conveniently obtain public job information and actively participate in job projects, making Dongdaemun-gu a happy district for all residents."
The "2023 Dongdaemun-gu Public Job Guide" book is posted on the district website and available at the district office's general civil service office, job center, community service centers, residents' centers, and cultural welfare centers, making it easily accessible to anyone.
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