Busan's city libraries will begin accepting participants for their fall programs at 10 a.m. on September 20, ahead of Reading Month in September.
Programs will include school-based math classes, popular author book talks, brain health classes for seniors, and humanities courses, each targeting different audiences and themes.
The Busan Metropolitan Central Library will run a 'Math Challenge Classroom' from next month through November. This program will visit middle schools and youth support centers in Seo-gu, Saha-gu, and Yeongdo-gu.
The program is designed to utilize math concepts learned in the curriculum, with missions such as decoding number codes, finding patterns, and playing probability games, which teams will solve together. This approach aims to enhance students' mathematical thinking as well as their collaboration and communication skills.
Operating hours will be adjusted based on the schedules of the participating schools and institutions. Applications will be accepted through the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education's integrated reservation portal on a school and institution basis.
Lee Eun-kyung, the library director, stated, "I hope students will experience learning math as a fun activity through play and collaboration, rather than as a difficult and tedious subject. We will continue to support schools to enhance students' thinking and problem-solving abilities."
The Busan Metropolitan Saha Library will hold a book talk with author Kim Dong-sik on September 12, in celebration of Reading Month. The event is open to 35 local residents aged middle school and above.
Kim Dong-sik will discuss his representative work, 'The Gray Man,' sharing stories about the themes of his work, his creative process, and his journey to becoming an author. He will also communicate with participants about the inspiration behind his writing and the process of creating his works.
Cho Soo-geum, the library director, expressed, "I hope this will be a meaningful time for participants to meet the author, discuss the book, and share their thoughts."
The Busan Metropolitan Seodong Library will present two programs concurrently.
In collaboration with the Geumjeong-gu Dementia Safety Center, the library will run a 'Smart Brain Health Living' program for local residents aged 60 and older from November 11 to November 13. This program will take place every Friday in the second-floor learning room and will consist of eight sessions featuring brain health exercises, tangram games, visual perception activities, and cognitive training through puzzles and Sudoku.
Additionally, the library has been selected for the '2026 Humanities on the Road' project organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. From September 15 to November 17, it will conduct a program titled 'Reading Poetry in Seodong Village: Reading the World and Writing Myself' with 20 local residents.
This ten-session course will begin with Homer's 'Odyssey' and include works by Jacques Prévert, Pablo Neruda, Kim So-yeon, and Lee Hae-in. The program will also feature film screenings and visits to the Kim Sung-jong Literary Museum and Yosan Literary Museum, concluding with a session where participants create their own poetry.
Lee Jin-ok, the library director, stated, "I hope this will broaden thoughts through poetry and that the exploration of literary museums and lectures will help expand the foundation of humanities in the community."
All four programs are free of charge, including materials. Registration will open on September 20 at 10 a.m. on the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education's integrated reservation portal, and applications for the brain health class at Seodong Library can also be made through the library's website or in person at the general materials room.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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