“The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”
Particularly in public spaces like libraries, Korean students are renowned for their intense and occasionally extreme dedication to their studies. This craziness” regarding library study habits is rooted in the highly competitive academic atmosphere in South Korea. To optimize productivity and reserve comfortable study spaces, Korean University students frequently start their library routines early in the morning, particularly during peak hours. In Korea, libraries, particularly those on college campuses, are crowded during finals and midterms. With students delaying social plans and packing every seat, the atmosphere’s gravity becomes apparent. Even facilities that provide study areas, food and rest areas are made with this goal in mind, allowing for extended periods of time spent indoors. Sometimes, in order to stay focused on their studies, students will stay up all night in the library or even skip home.
Facilities of the Korean Library :
1. Well- equipped reading rooms( some open 24 hours).
2. Group study and seminar spaces.
3. Accessibility features for visual and physical disabilities .
4. Multimedia and digital resource centres.
5. Locker rooms and amenities for user comfort .
6. Specialized collections of rare books, government documents , arts, children’s literature.
Some libraries in South Korea:
The public library scene offers a variety of famous, historic, and architecturally remarkable locations that are highly recommended for tourists. These are some particularly noteworthy choices that blend atmosphere, accessibility and a feeling of location.
1.National Library of Korea:
More than 10 million volumes, including more than a million foreign-language books and historical national treasure, make up the National Library of Korea, the country’s primary repository. It was formed by combining earlier libraries and at first functioned as a vital public resource for the intellectual development of the country during the unstable postwar period.It functions under the Ministry of Culture and has been a trailblazer in the fields of digital access, national bibliographic systems and library science. Located on a forested hill close to Seocho park. visitors can anticipate contemporary amenities, an extensive collection of digital and physical resources.
Address: 201 Banpo-daero, Seocho District, Seoul.
2. Cheongun Literature Library:
The first public library in Seoul designed in the Hanok style is located at the base of Inwangsan Mountain. The peaceful natural surroundings and traditional Korean architecture blend harmoniously to create a distinctive, picturesque reading space. A peaceful reading ambiance, lovely rooftop views, and convenient access from central neighborhoods like Jongno. It’s a fantastic place to stop if you’re exploring Bukchon in northern Seoul.
Address: 40, Jahamun-ro 36-gil, Jongno District, Seoul.
3. Namsan Public Library:
Originally established in 1922 as the Gyeongseong Municipal Library in Myeong-dong during the Japanese colonization era, Namsan Public Library is one of Seoul’s oldest and most historically significant public libraries. The structure, which reflects institutional architecture from the middle of the 20th century, was created following a public competition and is now a Seoul future Heritage Property. The Namsan Public Library serves as a community cultural center in addition to offering lending services; it has reading rooms, digital lounges, reference areas, exhibition spaces and public education programs that are either free or inexpensive.
Address: 109 Sowol-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul.
4. Jongdok Municipal Library:
One of Seoul’s largest public libraries, Jeongbok Public Library, was established in 1977 and incorporates historic buildings like the Jongchinbu, one of the last remaining government buildings from the Joseon Dynasty. The library combines contemporary reading resources with cultural heritage.
Address: 48, Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno District, Seoul.
5. Starfield Library:
One of the most photogenic libraries in South Korea is the Starfield Library at COEX Mall in Seoul, which is well-known for its contemporary architecture and towering, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The library’s 13-meter-tall shelves, which are stocked with thousands of books, are frequently photographed by visitors. The room is flooded with natural light, which gives it a dramatic and welcoming feel.
Address: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam District, Seoul.
One of the most distinctive, progressive and community-focused library models is that of South Korea. Libraries in South Korea serve as dynamic centers for knowledge,education and community involvement in addition to being book repositories. The distinct needs of their local communities greatly influence them and frequently combine a variety of functions like makerspaces, educational and cultural hubs and social action platforms.
Written by – Sahinoor
About the Author –
My name is Sahinoor. I have a strong desire to learn a new language and culture whenever I get spare time. Despite being from a different culture, I have always been interested in other cultures. After watching Korean drama, I became very interested in Korean culture and life-style as a teenager. My passion for learning has given me a fantastic opportunity to write articles. I will be able to broaden my knowledge and discover a lot more about my cherished South Korea by writing articles.