From AI Picture Books to Homemaker Rock Bands: Library Clubs Bring Their Achievements Together

[Financial News] An event featuring picture books and crafts made with neighbors at libraries, as well as music and theater performances, is set to take place. Young musicians, homemaker rock bands and older creators will share work they have pursued throughout the year.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the 2nd, the 2026 Library Arts and Culture Club Activities Support Achievement-Sharing Event, “Libraries, Connected Through Art,” will be held at 1 p.m. on the 3rd at the International Conference Hall of the National Library of Korea in Seocho District, Seoul.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism supports clubs so residents can continue arts, culture and reading activities at libraries. This year, the number of clubs receiving support has increased to six times last year’s level. The ministry provides club operating expenses and consultations with experts, among other forms of support, allocating 3 million won per club for arts and culture activities and 2 million won for reading activities.
The exhibition, which opens at 1 p.m., will feature around 500 works in a range of fields, including picture books, calligraphy, pop-up books and hanji crafts. Sadam, a club at Seongnam City Jungwon Library, will present picture books and original illustrations that use AI to reinterpret documentary heritage, including Donguibogam and Muyedobotongji.
Eunbit Insaeng, a club at Bupyeong-gu Cheongcheon Public Library, will exhibit calligraphy by members aged 60 and older, incorporating their life experiences and emotions. Geummukhoe, a club at Ulju Library, will showcase literati paintings created on ceramics instead of traditional calligraphy paper.
Ai (I) Picture Book Study Group at Chilgok Library of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Office of Education will exhibit natural essential oils suited to picture books alongside crafts made from recycled paper. The group’s mothers have completed a picture-book instructor course.
Four performances will follow, starting at 2 p.m. Petit Cochon Bridge Ensemble at Gangdong-gu Gangdong Central Library will present a program combining picture-book readings with classical music. Moa Mom Band at Ansan Central Library will perform rock music, including original songs, played by homemakers who took up instruments later in life.
Kkumkkuneun Geurimja (Dreaming Shadows) at Hanam-si Wirye Library will perform the shadow play “Sang-ja-bil-la,” about resolving conflicts between neighbors, such as inter-floor noise, through communication and consideration. Chaeksoli Who Reads Books at Mapo Central Library will present a staged reading developed from the group’s activity of reading picture books aloud to children.
Admission is free and open to everyone. Participants can register in advance or sign up in person on the day.
Jeong Hyang-mi, director general of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Office of Arts and Culture Policy, said, “Libraries are expanding their role beyond places for sharing books and knowledge to become community cultural spaces where residents learn together and create culture.”

[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter