Reading key to improving imagination

Playing video or computer games can positively affect children, contrary to the popular belief that they can make them violent and corrupt their minds.

Many scientists believe that games can help kids become more organized as they follow instructions and solve problems while going through mazes in a fantasy world and encountering obstacles.

Nexon Korea’s flagship “Maple Story” game seeks to do that for kids by helping them develop their imaginations and organizational skills as they play a role and go on an exotic adventure that requires collaboration and problem-solving.

But the Korean game giant said it wants to support them not only through online computer games, but also by offering them unlimited access to offline materials such as books.

This is why Nexon Korea began building libraries for children both at home and abroad through a project called Nexon Hands.

“The firm has been building children’s libraries worldwide since 2004, and the number of libraries now stands at 88 in Korea and three abroad,” Park Yi-sun, manager of Nexon Korea’s social contribution department, told The Korea Herald.

“We hope to provide more opportunities to children in every corner of the world.”

The company has encouraged children to read books and talk about the books with others by holding book report competitions since 2011.

“The children’s libraries established overseas are named ‘Wish Planet,’ as the company hopes the libraries can serve as places where children can follow their dreams and wishes,” Park said.

Nexon’s first children’s library was built in Burundi, Africa, in 2011, and the second and third were in a mountainous town in Nepal in 2012 and in Kampong Speu, Cambodia, in 2013.

The Korean firm does not just provide books and other materials for the libraries, but also runs a variety of programs including wall-painting activities, athletic events and photo exhibitions.

The 91st children’s library was set up in February at the company’s Pangyo office in Gyeonggi Province, where it has more than 1,000 books ranging from comics to books on design.

There are also indoor playgrounds called Nollja, which means “let’s play.”

Nexon’s playground in Busan, for instance, has ball pits, carnival mirrors and digital screens to encourage children to think freely and creatively through physical activities.

“Nexon will continue to contribute to society by providing various online and offline programs through which children can learn a wide range of subjects from art and science to social skills,” the manager said.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)