Namgu Hyocheon Eoullim Library, Establishing a Cultural Community Space

Hyochon Eoullim Library in Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, is bustling with residents visiting the library as it marks its 100th day since opening.

According to Nam-gu on the 24th, Hyochon Eoullim Library is the fourth district-run library in the area, established through a living SOC complex project to allow about 30,000 residents of the Hyochon district to enjoy a cultural life through books.

Residents here had experienced inconvenience in using libraries due to the absence of a public library in the Hyochon district, but their long-standing wish was fulfilled when the district office undertook the construction of the Hyochon Eoullim Library along with the Hyochon Cultural Complex Community Center.

Hyochon Eoullim Library opened its doors on August 16 and marked its 100th day as of this date.

During this period, a total of 39,847 residents visited the library for using the reading room, borrowing books, participating in various programs, and issuing membership cards.

Usage of the reading room was 20,936, book loans numbered 16,126, 1,716 participants took part in 14 programs including environmental and ecological fields such as 'Booknic' and 'Library Where Plants Grow,' and 1,069 membership cards were issued.

In particular, despite the relatively short period since its opening, Hyochon Eoullim Library showed the highest levels among district-run libraries in the area in key indicators of library status such as reading room usage, book loans, and membership registrations.

The reading room sees an average of 238 visitors daily, and book loans average 183 users, injecting vitality into the library.

By comparison, the Cultural Information Library has 188 and 146 users respectively, Pureungil Library has 201 and 154, and the Youth Library has 229 and 175.

Additionally, Hyochon Eoullim Library issued membership cards to 1,069 residents within about 90 days of opening.

The Cultural Information Library, which opened first (290 days since opening), issued 2,883 membership cards, while the Youth Library (289 days since opening) and Pureungil Library (270 days since opening) issued 843 and 1,117 cards respectively.

A Nam-gu official said, "Setting up a special corner for ecological and environmental books inside the library and offering distinctive programs such as puppet shows from the early days of opening were effective," adding, "We will solidify our position as a cultural hub by providing user-centered library services."