Gwangyang-si 'Jungma Smart Library' Opens

Creation within Jungmadong Resident Autonomy Center Parking Lot, Operating 24/7 All Year Round

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do announced that from August 1, it will operate the ‘Jungma Smart Library,’ a non-face-to-face book lending and return service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The ‘Jungma Smart Library’ is a lifestyle-oriented unmanned library where residents can freely borrow books placed on smart devices without visiting a library. It was established in the parking lot (1st floor) of the Jungma-dong Residents’ Autonomy Center, an area with high foot traffic.

This project was selected through the ‘2022 U-Library Service Construction Support Project’ contest hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and was completed with a total project cost of 130 million KRW (65 million KRW from the national government).

Any citizen holding a Gwangyang City Library integrated membership card (including Chaegieum and mobile membership cards) can use the service.

There are about 500 books available, and users can borrow up to 3 books per person for 14 days. However, books from the smart library can only be borrowed and returned directly at the device.

Citizens wishing to use the ‘Jungma Smart Library’ can sign up on the Gwangyang City Library website (lib.gwangyang.go.kr), bring their ID, and visit the nearest city library to receive a membership card.

To borrow books, select the desired books on the touchscreen, add them to the basket, and then scan the library membership card (※ password input required). The books will come out from the slot. To return books, select the return menu, scan the book on the reader, and insert it into the slot.

Kim Mira, Director of Library Operations, said, “We established the smart library to enhance local residents’ access to knowledge and information and to spread a lifestyle-oriented reading culture. We will continue to strive to provide an environment where citizens can conveniently use book information services.”

Meanwhile, Gwangyang City Library operates a total of two smart libraries. In 2021, a smart library was established and operated at the entrance of the Namdo Pilgrimage Scenic Forest in Dongseo Tonghap, Gwangyang-eup (next to the parking lot of Jeonnam Provincial Museum of Art).

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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