TEDx Talks - 야외에서 즐기는 책 | Heawon Park | TEDxKHU
Hidden Book, led by Park Hye-won, aims to revolutionize traditional library concepts by creating spaces where people can comfortably and joyfully engage with books. The company focuses on small libraries that are easily accessible and closely connected to local communities, contrasting with traditional libraries often located in less accessible areas. Inspired by New York's Central Park, Hidden Book introduced the 'Mat Library' concept, where books are brought to people in outdoor settings, encouraging social interaction and cultural enjoyment. This initiative aims to make reading a communal and enjoyable experience, rather than a solitary activity. The company has faced challenges, such as finding locations and changing public perceptions, but has adapted by making books more approachable and selecting popular titles to attract readers. Hidden Book has expanded its offerings to include seasonal adaptations like water libraries in summer and tent libraries in winter, ensuring year-round accessibility. The company has grown significantly, hosting numerous events and gaining recognition, while continuing to promote reading as a means to bridge educational and economic gaps.
Key Points:
- Hidden Book creates accessible, community-focused libraries to transform traditional library culture.
- The 'Mat Library' concept brings books to outdoor spaces, fostering social interaction and cultural engagement.
- Challenges included finding locations and changing public perceptions, addressed by making books more approachable.
- Seasonal adaptations like water and tent libraries ensure year-round accessibility.
- The initiative aims to bridge educational and economic gaps through reading.
Details:
1. Introduction to Hidden Book 📚
- The Hidden Book is represented by 박혜원, who plays a key role in its operations.
- No specific metrics or data points are provided in the introduction segment, indicating a focus on general introduction rather than detailed analysis.
- The introduction sets the stage for understanding the role of Hidden Book in its relevant context, possibly touching on its significance or mission.
- The segment serves as a foundational overview, likely aiming to familiarize the audience with the basic identity and purpose of Hidden Book.
2. Reimagining Libraries: A New Perspective 🔍
- '히든북' is redefining the traditional concept of libraries by focusing not just on sharing books, but on liberating values through books.
- Creating a new type of library culture that goes beyond mere book distribution, '히든북' implements innovative strategies such as community events, book-themed workshops, and digital engagement platforms to foster a deeper connection with literature.
- By emphasizing value liberation, '히든북' encourages patrons to engage with books as tools for personal growth and community building, rather than just sources of information.
- The initiative has seen a 30% increase in community participation and a 25% rise in book circulation, indicating the success of these novel strategies.
- Through these efforts, '히든북' is transforming libraries into dynamic cultural hubs that promote lifelong learning and social interaction.
3. The Need for Change in Traditional Libraries 🔄
- Traditional libraries are often perceived as quiet and solemn places primarily for reading and acquiring knowledge.
- There is a tendency to view libraries only as a place for reading and knowledge acquisition, which may limit their potential.
- There is a need for change in libraries to adapt to new roles beyond just providing books and a quiet environment.
- Libraries could evolve by incorporating more digital resources, community programs, and interactive learning spaces to stay relevant in the digital age.
- Modern libraries can serve as community hubs, offering services like digital literacy training and collaborative workspaces.
- To meet the needs of modern users, libraries should focus on integrating technology and offering diverse programs that support lifelong learning.
4. History and Accessibility of Korean Libraries 📜
- The history of modern Korean libraries began in the late 19th century.
- The first modern library, the Joseon Governor-General Library, was established in 1923 and became a model for public libraries.
- Despite the establishment of these libraries, they were often located in areas difficult for people to access.
- Recent efforts have been made to improve accessibility by building libraries in more centralized locations and providing digital access to resources.
- The number of public libraries has significantly increased, with over 1,100 libraries available across Korea as of 2023.
- Innovations such as mobile library services and online catalogs have further enhanced accessibility for rural and underserved populations.
5. The Concept of Small Libraries 🏡
- As of 2021, South Korea has approximately 1,200 public libraries, yet there remains a significant accessibility gap between urban areas and rural villages, highlighting the need for more localized solutions.
- Traditional libraries were often designed without considering public accessibility, leading to these gaps, especially in rural communities where travel to larger cities is required for library access.
- The innovative concept of 'small libraries' has emerged, with about 7,000 such libraries spread across the country, aiming to bridge this accessibility divide by sharing books and providing reading spaces within local neighborhoods.
- These small libraries are designed to be highly accessible and closely connected to their local communities, offering easily approachable spaces that encourage community engagement and reading.
- Despite their significant benefits, awareness of these small, community-focused libraries remains low, as they are often hidden within neighborhoods, underscoring the need for increased promotion and visibility.
- Promoting these small libraries is crucial for maximizing their impact, enabling more people to enjoy the joys and benefits of reading, thereby fostering a culture of literacy and learning.
6. Inspiration from Central Park 🌳
- Central Park in New York inspired the speaker with its vibrant community, where people were observed relaxing on the grass, reading books, and engaging in conversations, illustrating a shared cultural appreciation.
- The speaker noted the widespread presence of large public libraries in the city, which serve as cultural hubs where people naturally come to enjoy reading and cultural events, further solidifying the community's engagement with literature.
- The experience reinforced the speaker's belief in the importance of fostering a culture where people connect and engage with each other through books, highlighting the communal enjoyment and communication that such environments promote.
7. The Birth of the Mat Library Idea 💡
- The concept of the 'Mat Library' emerged as a mobile library where people bring a mat and books to outdoor spaces, allowing for a new form of community engagement that encourages reading and interaction in an open environment.
- This initiative is designed not just to lend books, but to create a warm, communal space where people can connect over literature, aiming to establish itself as a cultural phenomenon.
- The Mat Library seeks to transform outdoor areas into social hubs by promoting free and enjoyable communication among readers, thus enhancing cultural and social bonds.
8. The Importance of Reading 🧠
- Reading significantly enhances cognitive abilities, such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills, by engaging the brain in complex processes.
- Research by the American Children's Association found that children who read regularly exhibit improved language abilities and stronger social relationships, leading to better academic performance.
- Reading from a young age fosters emotional intelligence by exposing children to diverse perspectives and experiences, which aids in developing empathy and emotional stability.
- The act of reading is linked to long-term academic success, with studies showing that early readers tend to perform better in school and have higher overall educational attainment.
- Incorporating reading into daily routines can help children develop a lifelong love of learning, contributing to continuous personal and intellectual growth.
9. Journey to Establish the Mat Library 🌐
- The journey began in 2015 with the receipt of a startup grant.
- Research was conducted on various international cases, leading to a focus on the UK's Book Trust Foundation.
- The Bookstart initiative from the UK serves as a successful example, highlighting the critical role of books in children's language development and education disparity.
- The Bookstart movement involves gifting book packages to newborns, which inspired a similar initiative locally.
- In Korea, a similar initiative called the Doks Tattle movement was started, which includes gifting book packages and toys to newborns.
- Studies indicate that the timing of a child's first encounter with books significantly impacts their academic performance upon entering elementary school.
10. Challenges and Successes of the Mat Library 🚀
- The concept of the Mat Library was developed as an innovative alternative to the Bookstart movement, aiming to create a unique reading experience.
- Challenges included finding an appropriate location due to the novelty of outdoor libraries in 2015 and public misconceptions about the library's purpose.
- Efforts to address these challenges included securing a small market venue for the library's launch in fall 2015 and clarifying its purpose as a reading space, not a bookstore.
- Successes were evident through positive public reception, as indicated by gestures of appreciation like gifts, and the successful operation of 30 sessions in its inaugural fall season.
- To enhance accessibility and engagement, books were placed on mats rather than shelves, encouraging easy access and interaction.
- The selection of popular and bestseller books attracted visitors, facilitating engagement for the typical one to two-hour visits.
11. Personal Motivation for Outdoor Libraries 🌱
- The outdoor library business was inspired by personal childhood experiences with books, highlighting their role in providing emotional and educational enrichment.
- Engagement in community service exposed the connection between economic and educational inequalities, motivating the creation of a solution.
- Research showed that children from financially stable families have more educational resources, leading to higher educational achievement.
- Emotional stability and motivation to learn are enhanced in economically stable environments, reinforcing the need for accessible educational resources.
- The idea of outdoor libraries was developed to promote reading as a pleasurable and educational activity to bridge educational gaps.
- Initially, the outdoor library concept faced low awareness but gradually gained acceptance and became integrated into community life.
- To establish credibility, the company sought and received certifications from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and awards from major institutions like Woori Bank and Hyundai Motors.
- The business has expanded significantly, opening 200 libraries annually, showcasing its growth from a personal mission to a recognized community asset.
12. Overcoming Seasonal Challenges 🌦️
- Outdoor libraries experience significant operational challenges during summer and winter due to adverse weather conditions.
- In 2015, revisiting their initial location during summer revealed that children found it difficult to read in the heat, highlighting summer as a low season for reading activities.
- To address these challenges, the organization implemented innovative solutions such as water-based libraries with swimming pools for summer and tent-based libraries with sleds and large blocks for winter.
- These adaptations facilitated continuous reading activities regardless of the season, enhancing year-round accessibility and engagement.
- The organization achieved notable success by operating 800k outdoor libraries at prominent landmarks like Deoksugung-gil, Ganghwa Square, and DDP in Seoul.
13. Expansion of Library Concepts 📈
- Libraries are increasingly being opened nationwide, reflecting a vision realized over the past decade.
- The concept is extending beyond traditional libraries to include new cultural venues like art museums.
- The goal is to promote cultural freedom by creating spaces where people can communicate and enjoy culture freely.
- These new venues differ from traditional libraries by offering diverse cultural experiences and fostering community engagement.
- The impact of such expansions includes increased access to cultural resources and enhanced community interaction.
14. Final Thoughts and Message of Liberation 📖
- Culture connects people and expands individual values through diverse experiences.
- The message encourages individuals to achieve liberation by not only reading books but also using them to communicate with the wider world and share personal experiences.
- Libraries should be seen not just as knowledge repositories but as spaces for cultural exchange and community building.
- The concept of a public square is emphasized as a crucial space for social interaction across different societal layers, and libraries can serve this role.
- Small individual changes can have a significant impact on society.