Gangdong Central Library Officially Opens on August 31

Gangdong-gu in Seoul, led by District Mayor Lee Soohee, officially opened the Gangdong Central Library and began full operations on August 31. The opening ceremony was held on August 30.

Opening ceremony of Gangdong Central Library. Courtesy of Gangdong-gu.

The Gangdong Central Library had been operating on a trial basis since August 16, and attracted significant attention from the local community, with more than 13,000 visitors on its first weekend alone. The library’s opening collection consists of approximately 120,000 books. Residents can enjoy not only reading, but also listening to LP music, exploring art books and pop-up books, and participating in a variety of cultural programs such as media art and open art galleries.

The opening ceremony was attended by Lee Soohee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, library officials, and about 200 local residents. The event was made more meaningful by the presence of the director of the Ann Arbor District Library in the United States and the manager of the IKEA Gangdong branch. The Ann Arbor District Library donated 150 new books and plans to continue exchange programs in the future. IKEA Gangdong branch provided a variety of furniture, including chairs and stools.

Lee Soohee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, stated, “We will do our utmost to ensure that Gangdong Central Library becomes a landmark of cultural pride and satisfaction for the residents of Gangdong.”