Guro District Public 'Oryu Library' Reopens

Oryu 1-dong Saemaeul Geumgo Social Contribution Project Opened in 1978... Closed Due to Decreased Users... District Office Secures Budget, Rents Building, and Reopens with Male/Female Reading Rooms and Reference Room

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The ‘Oryu Library,’ which closed last May, reopened on the 3rd thanks to the efforts of Guro District Office.

Guro District (District Mayor Lee Sung) announced on the 11th that many residents regretted the closure of the private Oryu Library, which had served as a ‘local library’ for over 40 years. To maintain the legacy of the Oryu Library, which has long been rooted in the community, and to alleviate residents’ inconvenience, the library will be reopened as a public library operated by the district.

Located at 29-4, Gyeongin-ro 19-gil, Guro-gu, Oryu Library was the only private public library in Guro District, opened in July 1978. It was established by the Oryu 1-dong Saemaeul Geumgo as part of a social contribution project to foster local talent and promote lifelong education.

With a low usage fee of 500 won per day, the reading room has consistently attracted examinees and students living nearby.

However, as the number of users gradually decreased, the library faced operational difficulties and ultimately closed its doors on April 30 last year.

In response, Guro District decided to convert Oryu Library into a public library and has been proceeding with related procedures, including leasing part of the existing building.

The reopened public Oryu Library has a total area of 306㎡ across two floors, featuring separate reading rooms for men and women (36 seats each), a reference room, and study rooms. The reference room houses about 600 books. Currently, books are available for reading only, with plans to introduce a lending service in the future.

Operating hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. The first-floor reference room is open to all residents, while the second-floor reading rooms are accessible to holders of the Guro District Integrated Library ‘Jihye-ui Deungdae’ membership card. Admission is free.

A Guro District official said, “We decided to reopen the library because we believed that the only private public library in the district, which served the community for 41 years, should not disappear into history. We will continue to do our best to operate the library as a space where many residents can nurture their dreams and hopes.”