Ulju Seonbawi Library Wins 57th Korea Library Award

First Among Ulsan Local Government Libraries...
Innovation in Operation and Facilities

‘Ulju Seonbawi Library,’ the representative library of Ulju-gun, Ulsan, won the 57th Korea Library Award this year.

Ulju Seonbawi Library is receiving the 57th Korea Library Award and taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Ulju-gun

The Korea Library Award, established and presented since 1969, is the most prestigious library award in South Korea. It is awarded to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the development of libraries in the country, selected from over 1,400 libraries nationwide.

With this award, Ulju Seonbawi Library became the first library under the Ulsan local government to receive the Korea Library Award. It was recognized for its user-centered convenience services, promotion of library space innovation, operation of life-cycle tailored programs addressing low birth rates and aging population, and the spread of a fresh reading culture through innovative and diverse events.

Ulju Seonbawi Library opened in 2014 with a total floor area of 7,815.69㎡ spanning from basement level 1 to the 3rd floor above ground, housing 190,000 volumes of knowledge and information materials, and serving an average of 2,100 visitors daily.

Especially last year, to celebrate its 10th anniversary, the library enhanced visitor accessibility and revitalized the library by operating innovative events and programs such as △ Kyobo Bookstore pop-up market △ outdoor library book camping △ 4050 Life Book Caf? △ silver webtoon production △ silver youth theater, which received great responses.

Moreover, to commemorate South Korea’s first Nobel Prize in Literature, a dedicated corner featuring 110 representative works of Nobel Literature laureates worldwide was created, attracting many visitors.

Ulju Seonbawi Library plans to provide a more comfortable reading environment for users this year through innovative facility improvements.

First, the library’s first floor will be renovated to create a space where all generations can communicate and relax through books. Additionally, the infant materials room, children’s materials room, and restrooms will be fully remodeled, and elevator replacement, replacement of all reading room furnishings, HVAC equipment upgrades, and lawn yard creation will be carried out.

Also, for the first time among local libraries this year, an active senior exclusive program called ‘Your Happiness School’ will be launched and operated in earnest for three months starting this month.

Besides this, various programs that all generations can participate in are planned, including a special program for pet dog families called ‘Dangdangi Happiness School,’ △ youth career mentoring △ mobile outdoor library △ healing reading club for exhausted youth △ reading programs for parents of adolescents.

County Governor Lee Soon-geol said, “Thanks to the steady interest and use by local residents, Ulju Seonbawi Library has been able to grow over the past 10 years,” and added, “I hope Seonbawi Library will continue to change and develop to become a beloved space for many residents.”

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