Goyang Special City (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) is reorganizing the functions of public small libraries and preparing various support measures to increase accessibility to reading culture for residents in information-deprived areas. It plans to strengthen the self-reliance and sustainability of small libraries by expanding the Booknuri service, operating cooperative programs, and establishing a model for library operation with resident participation.
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[Korean Today] Goyang City, strengthening operation of ‘customized small libraries’ centered on information-deprived areas © Reporter Seung-ju Ji |
Goyang Special City announced that it will redefine the role of public small libraries and implement policies to provide intensive support to information-deprived areas. This aims to improve reading culture services in line with changing citizen demands and the digital age.
▲Expansion of ‘Book Nuri’ service to 7 public small libraries in information-deprived areas
Goyang City has been operating 20 municipal libraries and 10 smart libraries to improve citizens’ accessibility to information. However, there have been criticisms that library services are still lacking in information-deprived areas. Accordingly, the city plans to operate public small libraries centered on information-deprived areas and minimize duplicate budgets to maximize the benefits for residents.
In particular, the ‘Chaeknuri’ (interlibrary loan) service will be expanded to seven public small libraries, including Gwansan, Naeyu, Daedeok, Masang Park, Modang Park, Sarihyeon, and Hwajeon. The plan is to increase and reorganize the number of Chaeknuri vehicles and begin full-scale operation within the first half of this year.
▲ Strengthening cooperation programs and capacity training
Goyang City supports various cooperative programs so that small libraries can become centers of reading and culture in the region. The ‘Value of Working Together, Small Libraries’ program, which has been in operation since last year, has provided instructor support and operating supplies to new and excellent small libraries.
This year, we plan to actively promote the spread of community reading culture by doubling the budget for cooperative programs to 12 million won. In addition, we plan to provide eight capacity-building training sessions for operators and volunteers through the ‘2024 Small Library Academy’.
We plan to establish a self-sustaining operating system for small libraries through subsidies, dispatching instructors for reading culture programs and traveling librarians, and support for heating and cooling costs.
▲Transformation into a book shelter… Gangchon Park small library reopens
On the 20th, Gangchon Park Small Library will open its doors as a new ‘Book Rest Area’. The previously narrow reading space will be expanded and reborn as a multipurpose space for reading clubs and community activities. In addition, it will become a complex cultural space that residents can comfortably use through creative programs linked to the park.
▲Establishing a model for resident participation and cooperation
Goyang City is building a resident-participatory operation model to ensure the sustainability of small libraries. It plans to establish a support system for private small libraries so that residents can operate them voluntarily, and provide operation guides and customized consulting when newly registered.
In addition, we will strengthen the network of private small libraries to activate reading programs and community activities, and help them achieve financial independence by organizing accounting education and subsidy operation manuals.
▲Goal of Goyang City: A City of Reading
City officials said, “Goyang City is establishing itself as a city of reading books based on its solid library infrastructure,” and added, “We will strengthen the role of small libraries and establish a sustainable support system so that all citizens can enjoy reading culture equally.”
Through this policy, Goyang City expects that small libraries will become the center of the local community beyond being simple book lending spaces.
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