Open on Magok Culture Street near Balsan Station until October 19
Gangseo-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Jin Kyohoon) will open the "Sky-Embracing Outdoor Library," where visitors can enjoy books while experiencing the atmosphere of autumn. This outdoor library will be set up on Magok Culture Street near Exit 1 of Balsan Station and will operate a total of 15 times from September 6 to October 19.
The operating hours are three times a week (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) in September, and twice a week (Saturday and Sunday) in October. On Fridays, it will be open from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The opening ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. on September 6.
This year’s outdoor library is themed “Homo Movens: The Moving Human.” The theme reflects the district’s identity as a gateway to Seoul and its proximity to Gimpo Airport and the Magok Industrial Complex. The library will be divided into three subfields: spatial movement (travel), temporal movement (life), and technological movement (AI). A total of 1,500 books recommended by public librarians will be available.
The outdoor library will consist of two blocks. On the sidewalk near Exit 1 of Balsan Station, a “Reading Zone” has been created with airplane-shaped bookshelves and various benches for visitors to enjoy reading. In another area, bookshelves are accompanied by hands-on, lecture, and performance programs held every weekend at 3:00 p.m.
In particular, in collaboration with young artists, a variety of performances such as magic shows, guitar performances, and yodeling will be held. Participatory programs will also be offered, including Kyobo Bookstore’s “Trade Used Books for New Ones,” Yes24’s “Handwriting Copy Event,” the Starlight Space Science Museum’s “Make Your Own Solar Observation Glasses,” and an AI-based pet health management experience.
To ensure safety during the event, Gangseo-gu will establish a Safety Management Headquarters and assign 15 safety personnel on site at all times. The district will also establish response plans for weather conditions such as rain or strong winds and maintain a cooperative system with relevant agencies, including the police, fire station, and medical institutions.
Jin Kyohoon, Mayor of Gangseo-gu, stated, “The Sky-Embracing Outdoor Library is a new way to encounter books and culture in everyday spaces,” adding, “I hope it becomes a reading culture festival that everyone, from children to seniors, can enjoy together.”
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