Goyang City in Gyeonggi Province is accelerating its drive to create "public libraries for all" by expanding reading spaces outdoors and significantly increasing barrier-free devices for those with limited access to knowledge and information.
The city will operate its outdoor library program "Books, Outside" from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the 9th in front of the Gangchon Park Book Rest Area in Ilsandong-gu. Buoyed by the enthusiastic response last year, the program has been expanded this year to run twice annually, in spring and autumn. The venue will feature displays of recommended books along with bean bags and shade tents to create an outdoor reading environment. For family visitors, the program offers hands-on activities such as picture book readings, reading-themed board games, and book cover puzzles, along with an instant photo event.
Alongside this, the city is accelerating infrastructure improvements to guarantee equal reading rights for vulnerable groups. By the end of May, Goyang plans to complete the replacement and upgrade of 98 devices, including lending machines installed at 18 municipal libraries and 10 smart libraries across the region.
Forty-five outdated self-checkout and return machines and reading room seat assignment kiosks will be completely replaced with the latest barrier-free devices. The new machines will feature adjustable screen heights for wheelchair users, voice guidance and braille pads for the visually impaired, and multilingual support for users from multicultural backgrounds. More than 50 existing devices with at least five years of remaining service life will also be upgraded with auxiliary features such as braille guidance and call switches.
"Libraries are open spaces where anyone can freely enjoy reading and cultural activities," Goyang Mayor Lee Dong-hwan said. "We hope to lower the threshold to libraries and faithfully carry out their role as community hubs shared with local residents."
