Storytelling library

◇ Watching stars in the night sky and chatting about books at Osan Kkumdure Library ⓒ Reporter Shin Seung-hee

“Have you heard of a ‘play library’ where you can read while you play? For those who had to sit at a desk to learn, that sounds like a dream. What would it have been like if learning and studying in childhood had begun with play, and learning through play had been repeated for knowledge acquisition? Wouldn’t we now always be holding a book in one hand and reading at a café or on a park bench on a daily basis?”

◇ The Kkumdure Library that opened in April 12 is an innovative library in which visitors can watch performances and enjoy various experiences while reveling with books. ⓒ Reporter Shin Seung-hee

It sounds too good to be true, but there is a place where you can enjoy books while playing at a dreamlike library that blends education, culture, experience and play: the Kkumdure Library, which is located at 20, Semayeok-ro, Osan City. The Kkumdure Library, an experiential public library that opened on April 12 in the Segyo area in Osan City of Gyeonggi Province, is an innovative library where visitors can watch performances and enjoy various experiences while reveling with books.

At first, the name of the library itself is unique. Kkumdure Library is a compound word made up of “kkum (dream),” “dure (together)” and “library,” indicating that the library nurtures the dreams of local residents. Its primary operating goal is to become a library of ‘happy-learning education, rich culture, fun play experiences, and convenient open use.’ On the basis of this goal, the library plans to continuously explore and operate various programs such as innovative training, lifelong learning, reading promotion, cultural classes, invitational lectures, performances, exhibitions, presentations, events, proposals, field trips, book camps, reading camps, natural exploration areas, and much more.

◇ The Kkumdure Library is a dreamlike library that blends education, culture, experience and play. ⓒ Reporter Shin Seung-hee

The Kkumdure Library features a remarkably unique architectural design with a total floor area of 5223㎡ (1 story below ground and two above ground). The Study Hall and Reading Hall, which are traditional reading rooms, along with the stack rooms, hold a collection of 25,771 books. Experiential facilities such as the Children’s Reference Room, Toddler’s Room, Multipurpose Hall, Cultural Classroom, Outdoor Performance Stage, Reading Campground, and Nature Exploration Area also increase the enjoyment of children. With the Dolmen Park, Sports Park and Mulhyanggi Arboretum nearby, the library is truly customized for play. Children can run around the playground and then go directly to the Children’s Room on the first floor to read books. Of particular note, the entrance to the Children’s Room features washstands for children to wash their faces after playing in the dirt. Moreover, children can get their reading logs stamped with the titles of books they borrow, thereby increasing their desire to read.

The Kkumdure Library hosted an overnight reading camp for children to spend time with parents and friends in celebration of Family Month in May. The reading camp took place in the underground Multipurpose Hall and the first-floor Children’s Room every Friday 7 p.m. to Saturday 7 a.m. This program consisted of a user guide of the library, book quiz, games, confectionery-house making, free reading, and film viewing to foster the dreams of the children.

◇ The Reading Campground runs twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays, from 4 p.m. to 11 a.m. the next day. ⓒ Reporter Shin Seung-hee

The first reading campground in Korea established in a library, the Kkumdure Library Reading Campground is truly fantastic. It is a pleasant space for the whole family to spend a night reading in the library, strengthen family bonds and create new memories while watching the moon and stars. Starting on April 18, the Reading Campground runs twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays, from 4 p.m. to 11 a.m. the next day. It consists of an accommodations building with electric pads, and four buildings with low wooden benches used in putting up tents. To use the campground, you must be a member of the Osan Library and a member of a family with elementary or middle-school children; you are required to submit a book review with your children when leaving the camp. May was already fully booked with 40 teams (4 teams per session) on a first-come, first-served basis through reservations received between April 27 and 29. 

◇ “I want to read with my children and chat as we watch the stars in the night sky, and give them a memorable experience,” said Seo Joo-yeon, who entered Building 101 on April 25. ⓒ Reporter Shin Seung-hee

At 6:30 p.m. on April 25, Osan Elementary School teacher Seo Joo-yeon entered Building 101 “Daffodil” with her daughter, who is in the fourth grade of elementary school, and seven-year-old son. She laid out her belongings on a bench and prepared dinner with her children while her husband ran a little late from work. “I happened to apply for the camp for the opening ceremony, and fortunately my application was accepted,”she said. “I want to read with my children and chat as we watch the stars in the night sky, and give them a memorable experience.”

The Nature Exploration Area is also expected to attract children’s attention. It is a place where children from nursery facilities can raise their own vegetables and flowers to learn the value of nature and cultivate emotions. Nine nursery facilities including daycare centers and kindergartens located in Osan City with children aged 3 to 5 (10 to 20 children) are selected on a first-come, first-served basis, and the program will run from May to November. The facility provides seeds and seedlings, and farming tools will be provided by the Nature Exploration Area. Children can visit once a week to see and manage the vegetables and flowers they planted, while also enjoying reading. The Kkumdure Library will open all unused facilities and spaces at the library so that anyone can use them for neighborhood meetings or club activities. The Kkumdure Library is closed every third Monday of the month. It is located 10 minutes away from the Sema Subway Station, and 2 minutes away from the Sema Middle and High School Bus Station. A few performances and reading camps were canceled in early May due to the Sewol ferry disaster that occurred on April 16.

● Interview with Osan Jungang Library Director Kim Jang-hwan

◇ Osan Jungang Library Director Kim Jang-hwan ⓒ Osan Jungang Library 

“With an average age of 33.9, Osan is the youngest city in Gyeonggi Province, and has enforced policies focusing on education and childcare. Accordingly, the Kkumdure Library offers various programs in order to provide a place for citizens to rest comfortably, experience many things with books, and have an enjoyable time.”

Regarding the unusual appearance of the Kkumdure Library, Osan Jungang Library Director Kim Jang-hwan explained that it is due to the emphasis on education and childcare. In fact, the interior decorations and outdoor environment of the Kkumdure Library are different from other libraries. Unique ideas are applied in various places, creating a warm, friendly atmosphere. The Kkumdure Library does not have many books yet, aiming to be a library that is not filled but is instead in the process of being filled. It operates Free Bookshelves which feature books donated by citizens.

The procedure is simple so that many people can make donations and conveniently use the books. All this contributes to developing literary imagination. “We have promoted a book donation drive targeting the younger generations in schools, apartment buildings, and parents’ cafes, and these efforts were successful,” said Director Kim. “As of today, just two weeks after the opening, we have over 1,000 donated books. We will create stories as we fill the bookshelves with books with the help of citizens. The Kkumdure Library will be complete, filled with dreams and stories, 10 to 20 years from now,” he added with confidence.

Regarding the unique idea of book donation, Director Kim said, “I wanted to go beyond the concept of a library as just a place to lend books, and create a new library like a marketplace where you can exchange books all the time. It adopts a free bookstand system through which you can donate books that you have finished to the library, and freely check out books that you want to read. This system is expected be well received by citizens as there is no pressure to return books before the due date.”

The Kkumdure Library offers various programs. Director Kim particularly emphasized a program entitled “Overnight Reading Camp with Dad.” He said it was good to see children draw closer, talk more and get to know fathers around whom they had first felt slightly awkward. He mentioned that it is sometimes so touching that it brings tears to his eyes.

“It’s really touching when fathers and children write down their true feelings in the reviews after all the book review activities and games are over. Children usually pester their fathers to read more, far into the night, while the fathers want to go to bed. But it’s quite a pleasant argument.”

ⓒGyeonggi G-News | Reporter Park Gwan-sik 

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201405141559327055C059&s_code=C059