Library holds secret of life, wisdom and knowledge, containing books whose significance cannot be denied. It is also a place common for reading books, looking for the researches or studying for exams. Nowadays, libraries are showing up with peculiar features, stripping off its stiff and traditional images.
Seoul Metropolitan Library -Rebirth of Gyeongseong City Hall
A grand white building appears near City Hall Station of Exit #5. Having been broadcasted in the entertainment program "Running Man" and also appeared in Psy's music video "Gentleman”, Seoul Metropolitan Library stretched its presence to the public.
The library was used as Seoul City Hall during Japanese Colonization and has been reborned with the title of "Seoul Metropolitan Library.” Being the first library ever run by Seoul Metropolitan City, it is also called “'Information Hub of Seoul” and “Center of Libraries in Seoul.” The library has restored outer walls, halls and stairway of its 1926 form, all of which symbolizes and well showcases the history of Seoul.
Going up to the second floor of the library, books are shelved up to the ceiling and stair appears along the way. What's particular here is that unlike the usual character of library where people read books in assigned spots, people here read books seating on the large stairway, shaking off the stiff atmosphere and showing free spiritual and comfortable images. Currently, 24.000 books are offered and there is also a system that enables one to search for the books of all libraries within Seoul District.
Upon issuance of library card, books can be borrowed for free of charge. Eligibilities for members are: students attending a school in Seoul, international residents, adults, minors, toddlers, elementary school students and workers who are living in Seoul. Opening hours are from 9:00~21:00 on Tuesday to Friday and 9:00~18:00 on weekends. Mondays and national holidays are closed.
Aside from books, there are also former policy planning room and mayor's office on the third floor. On the Fourth floor, various periodicals and newspapers are offered, and on the Fifth floor, momentos and decorations of the old City Hall are displayed. In addition, various exhibitions are held every year in the building.
Seoul Metropolitan Library welcomes those who want to enjoy reading books in a special place as well as experience various culture lives.
Naver Library
Want to read books in a nature like atmosphere? Naver Library is the best answer.
Naver Corporation is company that mainly engages in a portal or other internet related information area. It is also known for its famous, Naver Website which is the most frequently used one in Korea. The corporation offers library not only to its employees but also to the public.
On the first floor of Naver Green Factory, which is the headquarter of Naver Corporation in Bundang, there is a library open to the public. From Outside of the windows, one can easily notice people leisurely reading books or magazines, seating on a beach chair. Upon entering the building, a bear, which is one of the characters of Naver corporation's social chatting application 'line' welcomes people and bordering it, sections are divided by two: on the left corner for newspapers, magazine, cafe and on the right corner, library.
After passing through a door of huge library shelf, the library gives feelings of crossing forests, decorated with artificial grasses. Identification card is required to enter the library and as bags are not allowed to bring in, they should be kept in the locker room. Although books are not allowed to borrow, there are various genres of books ranging from design, IT, or encyclopedias that are free to read and also hardly found in other places. And unlike other libraries where silence is required, Naver Library allows free chatting with persons next to each other.
In the library, there is also a café, allowing one to read books and at the same time drink coffee. Currently run by disabled people who have undergone barista education, the café was made with intention to help the underprivileged people.
Song Jong-ho, a citizen living nearby quoted, “What I like most about this place is that the scenery is quite relieving and it gives me feeling as if I am in a café, reading books. And I also think the opened access of the library is beneficial both to the company and citizens, as the library can impove its images and at the same time, makes the village better to live for the public, which is what makes it attractive all the more.”
Opening hours are at 9:00~21:00 from Monday to Friday and 10:00~17:00 for Saturday to Sunday.
