Yongin City: "Feel Free to Leave Your Child at Small Libraries"

Childcare Provided for Elementary Students at 9 Locations
Programs Include Book Reading and Board Games

"Entrust your children safely at small libraries in Yongin City."

Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, announced on the 16th that it will implement a childcare program for elementary school students at small libraries near residents' homes to assist dual-income parents who need childcare.

Children are having a reading class at a small library in Yongin City. Provided by Yongin City

The small libraries available for childcare are ▲Kkumdeoham Small Library (Mohyeon-eup) ▲Yongin English Library (Jungang-dong) ▲Kkumkkuneun Booklike Small Library (Gugal-dong) ▲Byeolbit Nuri Library (Singal-dong) ▲Bareun Saem Library (Seocheon-dong) ▲Sangha Small Library (Sangha-dong) ▲Togijangi Small Library (Gugal-dong) ▲Haedeun Small Library (Dongbaek-dong) ▲Good Morning Small Library (Dongcheon-dong), totaling 9 locations.

These libraries provide various programs such as reading books, reading English storybooks, and board games to enhance thinking skills for elementary school students after school. Each small library accommodates more than 10 participating children. It can also be used in cases of urgent childcare needs.

Kkumdeoham Small Library and Good Morning Small Library operate childcare programs from Monday to Friday, 2 PM to 7 PM, while the other seven libraries operate from Monday to Friday, 1 PM to 6 PM.

Kkumdeoham Small Library offers programs such as reading English picture books for lower-grade elementary students, math thinking skills using board games, and newspaper reading. Yongin English Library conducts English storybook reading and picture book making. Kkumkkuneun Booklike Small Library offers debate, reading and writing, and experimental science; Byeolbit Nuri Library provides board games, total crafts, and cultural heritage book art; Bareun Saem Library runs Korean history, Japanese language classes, and recycled crafts experiences.

Sangha Small Library offers board games, kalimba performances, reading and writing, and origami; Togijangi Small Library provides robotics, reading classes, and board games; Haedeun Small Library conducts newspaper education (NIE) and reading and writing; Good Morning Small Library operates creative art and reading activity programs.

A city official stated, "The childcare libraries were selected based on last year's small library operation evaluation results, the number of nearby elementary schools, and whether they are located in towns or townships. Through this, we plan to eliminate childcare blind spots and revitalize small library operations."

The city supports each small library providing childcare with 24 million KRW, totaling 216 million KRW. The city plans to expand support projects by investing about 680 million KRW, including the childcare budget, to enable small libraries to take on various roles. Additionally, the city provides cooling and heating expenses to 15 small libraries to use them as rest shelters for local seniors during heatwaves and cold spells. Currently, Yongin City operates 143 small libraries, including 6 public and 137 private ones.