Lotte Home Shopping has established a cultural space that can be used by various generations, expanding beyond a reading and learning area for local children.
On November 4, Lotte Home Shopping announced the opening of 'Small Library 102' at the Gangbuk Youth Cultural Information Library in Seoul.
The opening ceremony was attended by Kim Jae-gyeom, CEO of Lotte Home Shopping, Han Min-soo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Jung Chang-soo, the mayor of Gangbuk District.
The new library spans approximately 45 pyeong (about 1,485 square feet) and is designed to accommodate not only children and teenagers but also middle-aged and older adults for reading and cultural activities. The library features designs from Lotte Home Shopping's own character, 'Belly Bear.'
A notable aspect of the library is its use of eco-friendly materials. It was constructed using 300 kg of recycled banners to create bookshelves and desks.
This initiative incorporates the concept of resource recycling into the creation of reading spaces, continuing the eco-friendly approach established with the special library 100 last year and library 101 this year.
To celebrate the opening, a community participation event was held, featuring programs for adults to make eco-friendly kitchen detergents and for parents and children to create shampoo bars together.
Author Lee Nak-jun, a former doctor and the writer of the web novel 'Severe Trauma Center,' delivered a humanities lecture on the theme 'Growth Comes from Trial and Error.'
Since 2013, Lotte Home Shopping has collaborated with the Salvation Army Korea to create reading and learning spaces in local children's centers, libraries, special schools, and child welfare facilities across the country.
Starting with the first location in Gangseo District, the initiative has expanded to include the new Gangbuk District library 102. The total donations have reached 3 billion won, with 200,000 books provided and 4.8 million children served.
Recently, the focus has shifted from merely increasing the number of libraries to improving spaces tailored to the characteristics of users.
The special library 100, established at the Seoul Children's Hospital last November, was designed as a creative and learning space for children with developmental disabilities.
Library 101, which opened in July at the Eunpyeong Children's Green Center in Seoul, was created with consideration for the psychological and emotional recovery of protected children.
Starting this year, Lotte Home Shopping plans to enhance environmental improvements and post-management of existing facilities alongside the opening of new libraries.
Kim Jae-gyeom, CEO of Lotte Home Shopping, expressed hope that Small Library 102 will become an open cultural space where people of all ages can read, learn, and communicate together. He added, "We will continue to expand the role and value of small libraries by creating customized spaces that reflect the characteristics of the community and users."
Additionally, in July, Lotte Home Shopping established a 'small library' in conjunction with a K-beauty and lifestyle pop-up store at The Grove, a premium shopping mall in Los Angeles. The company also donated furniture and books to the Korean Education Center in LA and the Korean Cultural Center in LA to support education and cultural initiatives.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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