In 2013, The Salvation Army in Korea, in partnership with LOTTE Homeshopping, launched the Small Library Support Project with the aim of connecting generations and communities through books and offering children a safe space for rest and learning.
Under the slogan ‘The place where the world’s greatest dreams grow’, the small libraries are created not merely as reading spaces, but as warm and inviting environments where children can imagine through books, and communities can engage in meaningful communication. Since 2021, the project has expanded beyond traditional offline libraries to include Smart Small Libraries that incorporate digital learning environments, reflecting the evolving needs of today’s youth.
The initiative has since supported the creation of 94 libraries and is steadily approaching the milestone of its 100th location.
The year 2021 marked another turning point for the project. A proposal by a Gen Z employee during an internal LOTTE Homeshopping idea contest introduced an ‘eco-friendly upcycled library’ model, which was then integrated into the project. Discarded materials such as old banners and used clothing were repurposed into ceiling finishes, bookshelves and furniture, transforming the libraries into more sustainable and meaningful spaces.
The first library to adopt this model was the Haepyeong Nuri Small Library, which opened in January 2021 in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. Since then, the initiative has expanded to include cooperation with local governments, repurposing post-election banners into decorative and structural panels. This upcycling approach has spread throughout areas like Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, and by 2024, a total of 17 tons of discarded materials had been upcycled, breathing new life into library spaces. More than a physical transformation, this effort reflects The Salvation Army’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its values in an age of climate crisis and ecological degradation.
These small libraries have become not only places for children to stretch out on mats and read books, but also hubs for community members to gather and connect with one another. They serve as spaces for emotional healing and sources of renewed energy in everyday life.
The Small Library Support Project goes beyond mere numbers or interior design. The true significance lies in the small but meaningful changes that take place in these spaces – the process of giving new value to discarded resources, and the moments when books connect hearts and minds. As The Salvation Army moves towards the 100th library, it hopes to continue spreading this warm, transformative change to more children and communities.
