Retirement Fun : Library

"KaTak!~ The morning started with two delightful alert messages. One was a message from someone living in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, who had wanted to purchase a book that I had posted on an online used bookstore. The other was an alert informing me that a reserved book had arrived at the public library.

 

As I was sorting out things after retirement,

I realized that I aspire to be a minimalist, but in reality, I am a maximalist. Due to my busy work habits, which prioritize efficiency over effectiveness, I tended to purchase things that I needed immediately, resulting in an excessive amount of possessions. I realized that contemplating the usefulness of an item and comparing prices was just another cost to me. As a result, my home was filled with countless books, including books for work, novels to read during vacations, books purchased due to advertisements, and travel-related books, to the point where they were overflowing from one room and scattered throughout the house. Perhaps it was because having books everywhere gave me a sense of comfort... However, many unread books also felt like homework. I decided that I needed to organize these books that had made moving helpers sigh every time I moved, and I began the process of decluttering. After organizing, I set a goal to "books only from  the library, not at my bookshelf."

 

The methods I used to organize the scattered books were to give them to acquaintances, donate them to libraries, and sell them as used books. Selling them as used books involves either visiting Aladdin or Yes24 used bookstores in person or requesting a pickup service to sell them. Additionally, I sell remaining and newly purchased books through direct transactions at online used bookstores. I will explain these methods in more detail later, but for now, I will write about utilizing library books as a retirement fun.

 

We love the Mapo public libraries 

We, my husband and I, frequent the Mapo District Library once or twice a week to borrow books we've searched for, reserved, inter-library loaned, or requested to purchase(wish books). Reading with a cup of tea has become a pleasant and peaceful retirement routine. We visit the local public library within a 10-minute walk from our home, and occasionally go to the Mapo Central Library. We didn't know that so many libraries were available in our area and that they were open on weekends for our convenience before retirement. When we lived in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do for a month in April 2020, there was a small library in town. We could find enough interesting books to read during our month-long stay. As a member of the "Chaekieum(book joint)" program, you can read books at participating libraries across the country.

 

As I visit the library frequently, I became curious about how many libraries there are and why they have slightly different names. Libraries are classified according to their founding organization, such as national, public, private, and by their purpose, such as public, university, school, and specialized libraries. According to the National Library Statistics System (libsta.go.kr), as of 2021, there are 1,208 public libraries nationwide, 4 national libraries, 6,448 small libraries, 93 specialized libraries, and 459 university libraries.

 

• National libraries are established and operated by the government, such as the National Library of Korea, National Assembly Library, and Law Library.
• Public libraries are established by the local government, such as provincial, municipal, county, town, and village libraries, for the public to access information, cultural activities, reading activities, and lifelong education. This also includes special libraries for the blind, hospitals, military, prisons, and children.
• University libraries provide library services to professors, students, and staff in educational institutions beyond high school.
• School libraries provide library services to teachers, students, and staff in elementary, middle, and high schools.
• Specialized libraries provide specialized library services in a particular field for employees of affiliated organizations or the public.

 

Mutual borrowing (Book exchange) service

After retirement, you can quietly read books in the library, which is like a playground. You can also participate in various events or education programs held in the library. My spouse and I frequent the library to borrow books. We borrow various books such as newly published books from bookstores, books found by searching on smartphones, books introduced in articles or blogs, and books related to our hobbies from the library. Not only can we borrow books that are in the library we use, but we can also receive books for free from the 16 public libraries in Mapo-gu through the 'Mutual Borrowing (Book Exchange) Service' by designating the 'receiving library.' This service is also available in most local public libraries, not just in Mapo-gu, Seoul. In the case of Mapo-gu, existing integrated members can receive the mutual borrowing (book exchange) service by simply converting to a 'Chaekieum member(Book joint member)' after visiting the library. After searching for the materials, you can click on the 'mutual borrowing application' button and select the 'receiving library.' You can borrow up to three books per person. It takes an average of 1 to 3 business days to receive the books after applying. Although the service was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now available as of May 2023. When the requested books arrive at the receiving library, they will notify you via text message (please register to receive text messages in your member information). Books can be returned to any of the 16 public libraries in Mapo-gu.

 

Chaekieum(Book joint) service

The service allows you to borrow books from not only the local government library where you reside, but also from participating libraries nationwide. If you want to receive the service from one or more public libraries, you can join as a Chaekieum member and use the participating public libraries without a separate registration process. Anyone who is a Chaekieum member can borrow books from participating libraries and view the materials they have borrowed and returned in one place. As of May 2023, 2,580 libraries nationwide are participating in Chaekieum, and a similar but paid service called 'Chaekbada' is available in 1,263 libraries.

 

Chaekieum membership registration: https://books.nl.go.kr/PU/contents/P50100000000.do

 

Search for participating libraries in the Bookieum nationwide membership: https://books.nl.go.kr/PU/contents/P40401000000.do"

 

 

Chaekbada(Book receiving)  Service

The Service is a nationwide library resource-sharing service that allows users to request and use materials from other libraries that have a cooperative agreement, in cases where the desired materials are not available at their own library. Even books from distant libraries can be borrowed from nearby libraries. Each person can borrow up to 3 items and use them for 14 days from the day the materials arrive at their affiliated library. There is a usage fee of KRW 5,540, and the payment amount may vary depending on the regional subsidy. If you receive books from a public library in Seoul, the personal contribution for shipping is KRW 1,700 per package (Seoul city subsidy KRW 3,840). For example, if you requested 3 books and they all come from Library A, the personal contribution for shipping is KRW 1,700. However, if 1 book comes from Library A and 2 books come from Library B, the personal contribution for shipping is KRW 1,700 x 2 packages = KRW 3,400. Even if you are a member of a public library, you must register for Chaekbada Service to use it.

 

Membership Registration for Chaekbada Service: https://member.nl.go.kr/login_organ.do?mode=form&site=nill&beforeUrl=&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.nl.go.kr%2FPU%2Fcontents%2FP10301000000.do

 

Search for Chaekbada Service Participating Libraries nationwide: https://books.nl.go.kr/PU/contents/P40402000000.do

 

 

Wish Book Request Service

If there is a new book you want to read, but it's not available at your local library, you can request the library to purchase it for you. This is a great public service that makes us very happy as we don't have to add to our collection of books. Wish books are not only limited to new releases. The Mapo District Library calls this service "Wish Book Request." Any member with a library card can make a request for a book they want to purchase. Mapo District Library allows up to 3 requests per month per person. Only members who have a library card for borrowing materials can make wish book requests, and they can do so through the library's website, smartphone app, or by visiting the library in person. Of course, not all books can be purchased just because they are requested. If a book is physically unavailable or not suitable for a public library, or if it is not of adequate quality, it may not be available for request and a message will be sent indicating that.

 

Mapo District Library's Wish Book Request Information and Related Details: https://mplib.mapo.go.kr/mcl/MENU1052/CONT4040/contents.do

 

e-books

The library also has a small collection of e-books. These books are provided in file format, and can be viewed on a PC, tablet, or smartphone. They can be borrowed, returned, or reserved just like paper books. For example, if you have a Mapo Library card, you can download the viewer (Mapo e-Book Library uses the Kyobo Bookstore e-Book Library app) and access the e-books whenever you want. Since the budget is limited, the number of requests for e-books is very limited, but they can be requested as hope books. This is very useful for those who are traveling and don't want to carry a lot of books. You can simply borrow an e-book from the e-library and enjoy reading comfortably. To borrow e-books, you can install the Kyobo Bookstore e-Book Library app on your tablet or smartphone and add the library to your list of libraries. Mapo District e-Book Library allows up to 3 e-books per person, and the borrowing period is one week, which can be extended for an additional week for both e-books and paper books. Only full members who have a Mapo District Library membership card can use this service. If you are not a full member, you can visit the library with your ID and obtain a membership card. Seoul citizens can also obtain a mobile membership card through the "Seoul Citizen Card" app. Each library has its own rules and regulations. The advantage of e-books is that they are automatically returned when the rental period expires, so there is no penalty for late returns. However, the biggest complaint when using e-books from the library is still the lack of interesting books available.

 

That concludes my thoughts on using the library as a retirement fun. It all starts with a stroll to the local public library~~

<Location Guide>

Mapo Public Library 

https://mplib.mapo.go.kr/intro/contents/library/publicLibrary.do

https://mplib.mapo.go.kr/intro/contents/library/smallLibrary.do