Gwangju Nam-gu, Popular Play Culture Hub 'Toy Library'

Two public toy libraries operated by Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, are making a significant contribution to reducing toy purchase expenses, with the total number of members increasing sharply every year and approaching 2,000 members.

In particular, they are being utilized as a gateway to a play culture where children can experience various toys, and are being recognized as a cornerstone for promoting toy sharing.

According to Nam-gu on the 7th, currently, two public toy libraries, Bangjetgol Toy Library in Bangnim 1-dong and Aisarang Toy Library in Yangnim-dong, are operating in the district.

They operate on a membership basis for residents registered in Nam-gu, with an annual membership fee of 20,000 KRW. Basic livelihood security recipients, veterans, persons with disabilities in grades 1 to 3, single-parent heads of household, families with two or more children, and multicultural families are exempt from the membership fee.

The number of members at the two toy libraries has increased significantly every year as word spreads and the burden of household toy purchase costs is alleviated.

Bangjetgol Toy Library increased its membership from 714 in 2021 to 807 in 2022, an increase of 93 members, and further rose to 983 members in 2023, an increase of 176 from the previous year.

Aisarang Toy Library shows a similar trend. The number of members increased from 808 in 2021 to 900 in 2022, and 972 in 2023.

Over the past three years, the combined membership of the two toy libraries has increased by a remarkable 453 members. As the number of members has grown, the number of toy rentals has also increased significantly.

Bangjetgol Toy Library currently holds 1,118 toys across 580 types, and last year, the number of toy rentals reached 4,279.

Aisarang Toy Library recorded 3,634 toy rentals during the same period, and holds 768 toys across 484 types.

A Nam-gu official stated, "The burden of purchasing can be reduced, and since we have a variety of toys that can attract children's curiosity, more residents are visiting the toy libraries," adding, "We will continue to provide services worthy of a toy playground."