Gokseong Children's Library to 'Open' on the 12th

Total Project Cost of 5.6 Billion Won Invested

Utilizing a Complex Facility of Library and Living Culture Center

‘Gokseong Children’s Library’ in Jeonnam is opening its doors.

Gokseong County announced that it will open the ‘Gokseong Children’s Library (903 Gokseong-ro)’ in Gokseong-eup on April 12, Library Day, and begin full-scale operations.

[Photo by Gokseong-gun]

As part of the Living SOC Complex Project, a total of 5.6 billion KRW was invested, including 2 billion KRW in national funds and 3.6 billion KRW in county funds, to create a complex facility combining a public library and a living culture center.

The facility has two above-ground floors with a total floor area of 1,460㎡. The first floor houses the children’s library for toddlers and lower-grade elementary students and offices, while the second floor consists of a family reading room, children’s program room, immersive fairy tale experience room, community room for residents, and a multipurpose room, allowing upper-grade elementary students, teenagers, and families to use the space together.

In particular, the ‘Immersive Fairy Tale Experience Room’ located on the second floor was created through the ‘2023 Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Public Library Creative Space Creation Contest’ and is expected to provide children with a special future-oriented reading experience.

The library’s collection includes about 10,000 children’s books and 2,000 general books, totaling approximately 12,000 volumes. It is equipped with an AI book recommendation system, self-checkout and return machines, a 365-day reservation lending machine, and a mobile library to provide quick and convenient library services to county residents.

On April 12, the county will hold an opening ceremony featuring various reading culture experiences for local children, including a picture book magic show, sand art performance, and “Lalala with Books.”

Additionally, on April 27 at 2 p.m., a session will be held inviting picture book author Choi Deok-gyu, who won the Bologna Ragazzi Award for his work “Big Hands,” offering a picture book lecture and a one-man play by the author.

A library official said, “We hope that Gokseong Children’s Library will be used as a space where local children and residents can communicate through books and culture.”

Gokseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-seon hss79@asiae.co.kr