Seoul City Implements Nation's First Library 'Contactless Easy Membership Service'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] On the 23rd, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will implement a 'non-face-to-face simple registration service' at 22 city and district public libraries, including Seoul Library, the first of its kind nationwide, allowing citizens to use public library services from home. The same service will also start at 25 cultural and sports facilities.

This measure was taken in consideration of the recent concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), with citizens practicing social distancing and library closures being prolonged.

The non-face-to-face simple registration service allows easy online registration through the Seoul Citizen Card app. Unlike before, registration is possible without visiting the institution in person or undergoing identity verification procedures such as presenting an ID card.

For libraries, a mobile library card (membership card) is issued once Seoul residency is confirmed. To register as a library member, download the Seoul Citizen Card app, sign up as a member, then touch 'Simple Registration' at the top of the menu and select the desired facility.

Starting with 47 city and district public libraries, Seoul plans to expand the non-face-to-face simple registration service to all district libraries (509 in total) by the first half of this year, and to 93 cultural and sports facilities in the second half, totaling 649 facilities.

The city expects that through this non-face-to-face service, citizens will be able to freely use e-books at home via smartphones, PCs, tablets, etc., while avoiding the risk of virus exposure. Once registered as a library member, various services such as book lending, e-book services, interlibrary loan, and book reservation can be used immediately.

Gwak Jong-bin, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Autonomous Administration Division, said, "Even after the COVID-19 situation, we will work closely with related organizations to ensure that non-face-to-face services are established across all city and district public facilities, and make every effort to spread convenient services for citizens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.