Dongjak-gu, 2020 Seoul-style Bookstart Project Promotion

Book Packages Distributed to Infants and Caregivers in the Area Until December... Application at Community Centers and Libraries... Online Recruitment and Training of Volunteer Workers... Various Linked Programs for Parents and Children 운영

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) is promoting the ‘Seoul-style Bookstart Project’ until December to create an environment where babies grow up with books.

This project was prepared to provide an opportunity for parents and babies to form a close bond through picture books and become familiar with books.

The ‘Bookstart’ project is a reading movement that started in the UK in 1992. After a pilot operation last year, the district will officially implement it from this year.

The target is infants aged 0 to preschoolers and their caregivers residing in the area. Support includes distributing book packages, providing linked programs for parents and children, and recruiting and operating volunteer workers.

First, the book package consists of a bag to hold books, a Bookstart guidebook, a book list, and six picture books such as ‘Kokoko Chorokip’, ‘A Strange Day’, tailored to the baby’s age in months.

Caregivers can receive the package by bringing the baby handbook and visiting each community service center, the Childcare Support Center, or the district library.

Programs for parents and children are planned to be operated at the district library and Dongjak Library from June to December.

The contents include ▲ Bookstart Day ▲ Bookstart author lectures and early childhood programs ▲ Visiting Bookstart ▲ Bookstart caregiver special lectures, tailored by target group.

In addition, the district will recruit volunteer workers for the Bookstart project in June.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at each library, and can be submitted through the Dongjak-gu Integrated Library website (lib.dongjak.go.kr/).

Selected candidates will complete training courses such as ▲ Understanding infant psychology and communication ▲ Language play using picture books from June to August, and then participate in distributing book packages and book play programs.

Yoon So-yeon, Director of the Education Policy Division, said, “Since the satisfaction with last year’s Bookstart pilot project was high, we hope this year’s project will help create a reading environment for more families with infants and young children,” adding, “We will continue to provide opportunities for children to naturally encounter books from infancy through various program planning.”

Since last year, the district has installed and actively operated smart libraries at two locations, Sindebangsamgeori Station and Chongshindaeipgu Station, where books can be borrowed and returned anytime.

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