Partial Reopening of Guro-gu Public Library

Public Libraries, 29 Locations Including Neighborhood Small Libraries Allow Book Borrowing/Returning and Reading Room Use... COVID-19 Prevention Measures Implemented with Electronic Entry Log System, Zigzag Seating, and Partition Installation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] “Use the library safely!”

Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Sung) is reopening libraries that were closed to prevent COVID-19.

On the 29th, Guro-gu announced that it will partially reopen libraries to alleviate residents' inconvenience caused by the prolonged closure and has prepared COVID-19 prevention measures to ensure residents can use the libraries safely.

Since the 22nd, Guro-gu has sequentially reopened a total of 29 locations, including public libraries, Guro Miracle Library, Oryu Library, Sindorim English Small Library, Heungbune Picture Book Library, Gocheok and Ongdalsem Small Libraries, and Saemaeul Small Libraries in each neighborhood. Libraries still closed will be opened additionally soon.

With the reopening, services such as book borrowing and returning, reading room use, and membership registration are now available on-site.

To prevent COVID-19, Guro-gu installed transparent partitions at the information desks and conducts daily disinfection and ventilation of the library spaces.

Additionally, visitors’ mask-wearing and temperature are checked at the entrance, and visit records are kept through an electronic entry log system (or manual register).

Reading rooms operate by reservation to prevent crowding at specific times, maintaining less than half of the maximum capacity. Partitions are installed between seats, and safety distances between users are maintained by ‘zigzag seating’ and ‘leaving one seat empty.’ Those wishing to use the reading rooms can make reservations through the Guro-gu Lighthouse of Wisdom website or the respective libraries.

A Guro-gu official said, “We ask for compliance with prevention rules such as wearing masks and hand sanitizing when using the library,” and added, “We will strive to ensure residents can use the library safely even amid COVID-19.”

For residents’ convenience, Guro-gu changed the regular closing day of some public libraries from Tuesday to Monday. The libraries affected are Gaebong Children’s Library, Kkummaeul Library, and Sindorim Children’s English Small Library.

In October, a satisfaction survey regarding the change of closing days will be conducted, and based on the results, the cancellation of the change or expansion to other libraries will be decided.

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