Gwangmyeong Public Libraries Selected for Culture and Arts Club Project, Secure 18 Million Won in National Funding

Calligraphy, Hanji, Minhwa, Painting, Reading, and More

Seven Selected Clubs

Operating from April to November

Haan Library Selected for Third Consecutive Year

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province announced on April 9 that five of its public libraries were selected for a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism public contest project, securing 18 million won in national funding.

The 'Library Culture and Arts Club Activity Contest Project' is an initiative that supports culture, arts, and reading communities managed by local residents and based in public libraries.

The project is hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Library Cultural Promotion Institute, aiming to establish a sustainable foundation for reading culture activities.

Selection was made by an evaluation committee of experts, who comprehensively reviewed the feasibility of the project, regional specialization, sustainability, implementation commitment, and expected effects. This year, 206 public libraries nationwide were chosen, and five libraries from Gwangmyeong City were among them.

Notably, Haan Library was selected for the third consecutive year, having been recognized for its stable, resident-centered club management and consistent achievements.

This year’s selected clubs include four teams in the culture and arts field and three teams in the reading field. In the culture and arts category, the following will participate: Haan Library's "Gwangmyeong Calligraphy," Gwangmyeong Library's "Hanji in Everyday Life," Cheolsan Library's "Into the Charm of Minhwa," and Soha Library's "Geusarum (Beautiful People Who Paint)."

In the reading category, Cheolsan Library's "Majoongmul Book Club," Soha Library's "Chaeksai Book Club," and Yeonseo Library's "Bomgyeol Debate" will be joining.

The selected clubs will receive support for activity spaces, instructor fees, and arts or reading activity expenses. Specifically, each culture and arts club will receive 3 million won in national funding per team, while each reading club will receive 2 million won per team.

The project will run from April to November, with each club operating individually according to each library's schedule.

Choi Hyemin, Acting Mayor (and Deputy Mayor) of Gwangmyeong City, stated, "Public libraries are cultural and artistic hubs open to all citizens," adding, "We will actively support citizen-led culture, arts, and reading activities so that these initiatives can take root throughout the local community, centered around the libraries."