18 Public Libraries in Seongnam City Gain Popularity as 'Book-cation' Spots to Beat the Heat

550,000 Visitors to Seongnam City's Libraries in June

Public libraries in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Shin Sang-jin), have become a popular and unique way to beat the heat during the summer.

Citizens studying hard in the General Reference Room of Sunae Library in Seongnam City. Provided by Seongnam City

According to Seongnam City on July 29, the number of visitors to 18 libraries in June, when the heat wave began, increased by 30,000 compared to the previous month (May: 520,000), reaching a total of 550,000 visitors, and the number continues to grow.

This is because the libraries offer a comfortable study environment where people can read books in cool, air-conditioned spaces and escape the scorching heat. In addition, each library boasts a collection ranging from 9,400 to 370,000 books, and various reading culture programs such as reading classes and special summer courses are receiving enthusiastic responses.

The Central Library (Yatap-dong, Bundang-gu), which is the main library in Seongnam City, has three general reading rooms with a total of 608 seats. These rooms are packed with job seekers who prefer the library over study cafes, and the recently remodeled children's reading room is bustling daily with families.

Jungwon Children's Library (Geumgwang-dong, Jungwon-gu) operates a program in its indoor astronomical observation room where children and parents can directly observe stars and planets, attracting many visitors even at night.

Pangyo Children's Library (Baekhyeon-dong, Bundang-gu) is hosting family experience events that include hands-on robot exhibitions and robot dance performances.

Sunae Library (Sunae-dong, Bundang-gu) offers programs in its makerspace (2nd floor) where participants can use creative equipment such as a press machine and 3D pens to realize their own ideas through activities like paper art and making eco-bags.

In addition, each library offers unique programs such as the Firefly Bookshelf (Bokjeong Library), Children's Author Experience Class (Wirye Library), Virtual Sports Experience Class (Jungwon Library), East-West Art Museum Cultural Walk (Bundang Library), and Storybook Reading (Mujigae Library).

The affordable cafeteria is also popular.

At seven libraries with cafeterias?Central, Bundang, Seohyeon, Gumi, Pangyo, Pangyo Children's, and Sujeong Libraries?a full Korean meal can be enjoyed for around 6,000 won, attracting many visitors.

A Seongnam City official stated, "A new term, 'Book-cation,' has even emerged because visitors can enjoy reading, cultural programs, and meals all in one place," and added, "We hope everyone enjoys a wise and cool summer at Seongnam City's public libraries."