The Dalseong County Public Library in Daegu has installed a Smart Library device in the central lobby on the first basement level of Daesil Station on Daegu Metro Line 2. After a three-day trial operation, the Smart Library will officially open for use starting August 1.
The newly opened Daesil Station Smart Library is the second of its kind, following the one at Seolhwa-Myeonggok Station. This unmanned book lending service is designed to allow citizens who have difficulty visiting the library to easily access books in their daily lives.
The device operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and features an intuitive design that allows users to visually check and select books directly. Additionally, book sterilizers are installed both inside and outside the device, providing a sanitary environment where users can borrow sterilized books with confidence.
The collection includes a total of 421 books, consisting of new releases and bestsellers. Any regular member holding a Public Library Chaegieum membership card can borrow up to three books at a time for a maximum of 15 days. The books will be regularly updated, and Dalseong County plans to continuously introduce new titles to meet citizens' reading needs.
On the first day of the trial operation, July 29, a total of 68 book loans were recorded. At the Seolhwa-Myeonggok Station Smart Library, there were a total of 3,453 book loans completed throughout last year. These figures demonstrate that Smart Libraries continue to record steady usage rates, thanks to their convenient accessibility and unmanned operation system.
On July 29, a local resident who used the Daesil Station Smart Library commented, "These days, the weather is hot and it feels burdensome to make a trip to the library, but now that there is a Smart Library at a station I often pass on my commute, I find it really convenient to borrow books," expressing a positive response.
Based on this success, Dalseong County plans to continue expanding the installation of Smart Libraries, especially in areas with low library accessibility, so that more residents can easily access books in their daily lives.
Choi Jaehoon, Governor of Dalseong County, stated, "The Daesil Station Smart Library is expected to take advantage of its location in a busy station area to provide more reading opportunities to nearby residents and citizens," and added, "We will expand the local reading infrastructure and improve residents' access to books, creating an environment where all county residents can enjoy a culture of reading."
Meanwhile, the Public Library Chaegieum membership card must be issued in person at the Dalseong County Public Library for the first time only. After that, the card can be linked and used as a mobile membership card via the Dalseong County Public Library website.
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