Incheon City to Invest 6.8 Billion Won This Year to Expand Public and Small Libraries

Expansion of Small Library Facilities and Collections, Support for Specialized Programs
Promotion of Construction of '(Tentative Name) Incheon Library' for Collection Storage

'Gajaeul Dream Library' bird's-eye view [Provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City is set to build new public libraries in areas lacking libraries and to carry out projects to create and support community-based small libraries.

The city announced on the 8th that it secured national funding through the government's 'Living SOC Complex Project' and plans to invest about 6.8 billion KRW this year to build or remodel seven public libraries and five small libraries.

First, to establish balanced community-based libraries by region, the city will newly construct the 'Gajaeul Dream Library (Gajwa-dong, Seo-gu)' and the 'Forest of Wisdom Library (Seonwon-myeon, Ganghwa-gun)' aiming for opening this year. Once these libraries open, including the Nonhyeon Library (Nonhyeon-dong, Namdong-gu) which opened earlier this month, the total number of public libraries in Incheon will increase to 64.

The city also plans to build public libraries in Seo-gu Oryu District, Geomdan New Town, Ongjin-gun Jawol Branch School and Baengnyeong Middle and High School, and the public library within the Jung-gu Yeongjong Complex Facility between 2023 and 2024.

Among existing public libraries, three?Jooan Municipal Library, Yeonsu Children's Library, and Michuhol-gu Ssukgol Library?are undergoing remodeling to revitalize usage by residents.

Additionally, this year small libraries will be constructed in Namdong-gu Seochang-dong (within the Household Integration Complex Facility), Ganseok 4-dong, Mansu 5-dong, and Gyeyang-gu Gyeyang 2-dong Living Culture Centers, and the Bupyeong-gu Saemteo Small Library will be remodeled.

The city will also implement projects to enhance library facilities and collections, specialized programs, and provide actual expense support for volunteer workers at community-based small libraries located near residents’ homes to enable more citizens to use libraries conveniently.

Currently, Incheon's public and small libraries total 368, located close to residents in places such as community happiness centers and shared spaces in apartment complexes, offering various programs for all ages from children to seniors.

Meanwhile, Incheon City is also promoting the construction of a preservation library (tentatively named Incheon Library) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the municipal library's opening and to store library collections within the region.

The Incheon Library is scheduled for completion in 2024 and will be built on two basement floors to three above-ground floors within the 14th neighborhood park in the Geomdan New Town housing development area in Seo-gu. It will provide basic library services as well as serve as a joint preservation facility for regional materials.

An Incheon city official stated, "We plan to continuously expand libraries in areas lacking cultural facilities," adding, "This year, we will focus on providing non-face-to-face book lending services and online reading programs so that citizens can enjoy reading safely and comfortably."

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