Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) announced on the 13th that it received the 'Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award' for its contributions to the activation of small libraries at the '2025 Library Day ceremony' held on the 12th.
The 2025 Library Day ceremony was a joint event organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Library of Korea on the 12th to celebrate Library Day. It was held to commemorate the social and cultural value expansion and utilization promotion of libraries.
LH is promoting small library activation projects by utilizing community spaces in rental apartment complexes so that everyone can easily enjoy and benefit from books. The small library activation project began in 2021, and they support more than 220 complexes each year.
LH was recognized for enhancing small library activation and satisfaction by recreating small libraries as multi-purpose cultural spaces that residents can voluntarily participate in and enjoy, rather than just spaces for reading.
To promote community activation based on voluntary resident participation, the 'Resident Community Manager' (CM) program has been introduced, supporting ▲ library operations ▲ development of resident participation programs ▲ operation of reading clubs, among other initiatives. As of the end of last year, a total of 968 residents have been hired as community managers.
To alleviate difficulties in operating small libraries and support efficient and systematic management, a 'Small Library Operation Support Center' has been established. It has continuously provided tailored comprehensive consulting on ▲ library shelf layout and book management ▲ methods for running resident participation programs.
LH is also continuously promoting the 'Small Library Remodeling Facility Improvement Project.' Since 2021, remodeling has been completed for 174 small libraries in total, including the replacement of library shelves and the installation of small meeting rooms to enhance resident satisfaction and ensure efficient facility management.
Yoo Byeong-yong, acting head of LH's Residential Welfare Division, noted, 'We will continue to support the small libraries within the complexes to ensure they become cultural experience spaces that anyone, regardless of age or gender, can easily enjoy,' and added, 'We will strive to establish these as community centers where local residents and inhabitants can communicate.'