Specializing in Humanities and the Arts
Official Opening on August 31
Opening Ceremony on August 30
Special Lecture by Novelist Kim Youngha
Gangdong Central Library, the largest among district libraries in Seoul, will begin trial operations on August 16 and officially open on August 31.
An 18-meter-long large reading table located on the 2nd floor of Gangdong Central Library. Provided by Gangdong-gu.
The library, spanning a total floor area of 12,056 square meters (from four basement levels to three above-ground floors), is dedicated to the humanities and arts and will open with a collection of 120,000 books. Each floor offers a variety of cultural and reading spaces: the first floor features an infant and children's section, the Moya children's creative studio, a book cafe, and the Imagination Zone; the second floor includes an open reading room, a large reading table, and the Sound Zone; the third floor offers another open reading room and the Thinking Zone. The second basement level houses a multipurpose hall, the Wind Zone, and an open art gallery.
Of particular note are the 18-meter-long large reading table located deep on the second floor and the "Sound Zone," where visitors can enjoy a collection of over 500 LPs and CDs. The large reading table accommodates 36 people at once, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in books and leisurely enjoy masterpieces from classical to contemporary literature.
In addition, the library features a transcription space called the "Thinking Zone," an outdoor rest area known as the "Wind Zone," the "Moya" children's creative space, and an open art gallery, creating a complex cultural space infused with humanities and artistic sensibilities. People of all ages can experience a wide range of cultural and artistic activities alongside books.
Even after the official opening, the library will continue to offer specialized humanities and arts programs. Every Saturday from August 30 to September 27, there will be special lectures by renowned figures such as novelists Kim Youngha and Lim Kyungsun, psychologist Lee Hosun, EBS instructor Jung Seungik, and forensic scientist Yoo Sungho. On September 13, a classical concert by the Ditto Orchestra featuring tenor Kim Minseok and soprano Lee Sangeun will be held. Registration for lectures and performances will open on a first-come, first-served basis on the Gangdong District Library website at 10 a.m. on August 20.
The opening ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on August 30. Dignitaries from various fields, including the director of the Ann Arbor District Library in the United States (a partner of Gangdong District) and the manager of IKEA Gangdong, will attend. On the same day at 3 p.m., novelist Kim Youngha will give a special lecture commemorating the opening, titled "What Happens to Us When We Read Novels."
The library will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. It will be closed every Monday and on public holidays. After the official opening, all services, including borrowing and returning books, will operate as normal.
Lee Soohee, Mayor of Gangdong District, stated, "Gangdong Central Library will establish itself as a specialized humanities and arts library that will lead the cultural and artistic development of our district in the future. We have prepared a diverse collection and high-quality content, so I hope you will come and immerse yourself in the world of books."
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