Why Are Mapo District Libraries Using Kakao AlimTalk, DBPIA, and LibroPia Services?

Provision of Three New Services Due to Restricted Library Operations in the Post-Corona Era

Kakao Alimtalk Screen

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) will provide new online (mobile) services at Mapo Central Library starting in July, including Kakao AlimTalk, DBPIA (domestic journal full-text service), and LibroPia.

This initiative is a result of seeking new services that satisfy residents who face restrictions in using the library due to the indefinite suspension of normal library operations caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

First, Kakao AlimTalk replaces the existing text message notifications as a Mapo-gu public library service, delivering more detailed library information via KakaoTalk. Routine notifications such as returns and reservations are sent to all users who have installed KakaoTalk, while irregular notifications such as closures and events are provided only to users who have added the Mapo-gu public library Kakao channel as a friend.

For library users who do not use KakaoTalk or are in environments where KakaoTalk cannot be used, the existing text message notification service will continue to be provided.

DBPIA was introduced to meet the demands of users seeking advanced information, following last year's provision of Ewha Womans University foreign academic journal document copying service.

This service allows online access to full texts of about 2,000 domestic publications and is available in the multimedia room of Mapo Central Library and the digital resource room of Seogang Library. It can also be accessed via personal devices (mobile phones, laptops, tablets, etc.) when connected to Mapo Central Library Wi-Fi. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions on library use, DBPIA service can be accessed externally through the Mapo Central Library website without visiting the library temporarily until December 31.

LibroPia is an application installed on smartphones that includes functions such as mobile membership cards, loan status checks, and interlibrary loan requests. A family membership management feature, which was not included in the existing Mapo-gu public library application, has been introduced, and expanded functions for resident convenience, such as audiobooks newly purchased by Mapo Central Library this year, will be added soon.

Along with introducing these three new online services, Mapo Central Library will also gradually open special skill and aptitude program courses for the summer semester in line with the post-COVID-19 era.

With most library services restricted, the district prioritized opening small-group special skill and aptitude programs on the 11th to provide safe and comfortable educational services to youths and residents exhausted by the impact of infectious disease response, ensuring the safety of students and instructors.

Two weeks after the first opening date, the COVID-19 response status will be reviewed, and seven additional courses in physical education and group activities will be opened.

The district is also making every effort to manage library disinfection and user flow to prevent the spread of infection along with the course openings.

LibroPia Screen

For a safe environment, temperature checks for all students and control of outsiders are maintained, and all classrooms and corridors are disinfected by professional disinfection companies. Disinfectants such as hand sanitizers are also provided in each classroom.

Additionally, class enrollment limits have been adjusted to maintain a 2-meter distance between seats, and portable seat partitions have been installed to enhance safety.

Yoo Dong-gyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “We are preparing various online services and online courses in line with the digital untact trend. Through this, we will provide high-quality education and cultural services to residents even during the COVID-19 situation and strive to make Mapo a leader in new trends suitable for the new normal era.”

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