Gwangjin-gu Launches Campaign to Read Over 500 Books Before School Enrollment

First implementation in the 8th local government term, leading the formation of proper reading habits in early childhood through ordinance revision

Available to preschool children aged 4 to 6 residing in Gwangjin-gu, participation possible by visiting public libraries

Certificates and random book boxes awarded upon achieving step-by-step (Step 1 to Step 3) goals

Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) is promoting the project "Reading More Than 500 Books Before School" targeting preschool children.

The "Reading More Than 500 Books Before School," first implemented in the 8th local government term, was established to introduce the joy of reading in early childhood and help form early reading habits for preschool children.

To actively promote this project for the advancement of reading culture, the district revised and promulgated on the 2nd the “Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of Gwangjin-gu Public Libraries and the Promotion of Reading Culture in Seoul Metropolitan City.”

Eligible participants are preschool children aged 4 to 6 (born 2017 to 2019) residing in Gwangjin-gu, who can apply after visiting a public library and registering as members.

The "Reading More Than 500 Books Before School" program is held in cooperation with ▲Gwangjin Information Library ▲Junggok Culture and Sports Center Library ▲Jayang Hangang Library ▲Jayang 4-dong Library ▲Guui 3-dong Library ▲Gundam Library ▲Achasan Forest Library.

Daycare centers and kindergartens can apply as groups and borrow books for one month.

The district provides participating children with a "Reading Activity Kit" containing a reading bag, reading passport, and reading bankbook, and awards souvenirs upon achieving goals at each stage. Step 1 is set at 100 books, Step 2 at 300 books, and Step 3 at 500 books. Upon reaching 500 books, participants receive a certificate and a random book box.

Meanwhile, last October, at the opening ceremony of Achasan Forest Library, the district announced the "Recommended Book List for Reading 500 Books Before School."

Public library librarians and reading education experts selected books based on themes, composition, language, and illustrations suitable for children’s developmental stages by age, focusing on content that can enhance curiosity and intellectual inquisitiveness.

The list of 500 books can be found in leaflets available at the libraries.

Going forward, the district plans to operate various reading culture programs for children and parents in collaboration with libraries. These include experience-based performances to motivate children to read and inviting authors and experts related to reading education to guide parents on the importance of reading in childhood and educational methods.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, stated, “I hope that the precious experience of children visiting libraries with their parents and reading books will lead to lifelong reading habits,” and added, “We will continue to promote various reading culture projects for children and parents.”