Oh! A Library Where Noise Is Allowed Is Born!... Guro-gu Opens a 'Noisy Library' for People with Developmental Disabilities

Unlike regular libraries, making noise is allowed... Established on the 2nd floor of Guro Comprehensive Social Welfare Center with an area of 96㎡... Designed with ondol-style heated floors so visitors can sit or lie down without shoes... Opening ceremony held on the 17th

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] "'Loud Library' allows you to speak loudly."

A 'Loud Library' where people with developmental disabilities can move freely and read books aloud has opened in Guro-gu.

Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Seong) announced on the 21st, "People with developmental disabilities find it difficult to use regular libraries with quiet atmospheres even if they want to read books," and "Therefore, on the 17th, we opened the 'Loud Library' where people with developmental disabilities or 'slow learners' with borderline intelligence can read and study comfortably without feeling self-conscious."

The 'Loud Library,' a specialized library for people with developmental disabilities, was created on the 2nd floor of the Guro Comprehensive Social Welfare Center (Digital-ro 31-gil 93) with an area of 96㎡.

It houses about 1,700 books including cognitive, tactile, and sound books composed of short sentences and simple structures tailored to the level of people with developmental disabilities and slow learners, educational books for guardians, and general knowledge books for local residents.

The floor is designed as an ondol (heated floor) so that people with developmental disabilities can take off their shoes and sit or lie down while reading. Bean bag sofas are also provided. Cushioning materials are attached to corners of bookshelves and other areas where injuries could occur from bumping.

The operating hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding legal holidays and weekends.

Guro-gu plans to offer various reading programs such as reading aloud and self-expression tailored to users' needs in the future.

On the 17th, the opening ceremony of the 'Loud Library' was held. The event was attended by Mayor Lee Seong, members of the National Assembly, city and district council members, and families of people with developmental disabilities. The ceremony included a report on the library’s establishment process, greetings from guests, and a plaque unveiling.

Mayor Lee Seong said, "'Loud Library' will become a special space to help people with developmental disabilities adapt to society," and added, "We will continue to implement detailed policies to create a warm welfare city, Guro, where both disabled and non-disabled residents can live comfortably without inconvenience."

Guro-gu also operates the 'Developmental Disabilities Lifelong Education Center' (Anyangcheon-ro 552) to support social adaptation and independence of people with developmental disabilities. The center, equipped with a gymnasium, classrooms, and a psychological stabilization room, employs specialists such as special education teachers, special physical education teachers, and social workers who provide programs for people with developmental disabilities.

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