Gangdong District Opens Gangdong Forest and Central Libraries in Succession
“Libraries on a Different Level, Residents Give High Praise”
Located in Sangil-dong, Gangdong District, Seoul, Gangdong Forest Library is gaining attention as a multi-cultural hub that transcends the boundaries of traditional reading spaces, blending intellectual discourse and hands-on experiences with nature, science, and the arts.
As symbolized by the neologism "Dosegwon" (meaning "library zone"), libraries today are growing in significance as residential infrastructure, to the point where they influence residents’ housing choices. In particular, Gangdong District, which is experiencing active large-scale reconstruction and redevelopment, is seeing an influx of people in their 30s and 40s, along with a growing demand for educational and cultural opportunities for the next generation.
Gangdong Forest Library (587 Gucheonmyeon-ro), which opened in May, has been praised as the “Hermes of libraries”-a space where nature, science, and culture converge. In Greek mythology, Hermes is the god of wisdom, language, and messengers, symbolizing swift communication, exchange, and the transmission of knowledge.
The library’s major appeal lies in its location within a forest and its design, which allows visitors to enjoy views of the changing seasons through glass windows. The concept of a "restful library"-where forest views, music, books, and relaxation come together on every floor-adds a new healing element to residents’ daily lives. Unique experiences, such as an LP listening area, forest interpretation programs, and walking trails connected to the park, offer activities not typically found in libraries.
1,200 Donated Books: Cha Jaecheon's Study
The most eye-catching feature is “Cha Jaecheon’s Study,” which occupies the entire second floor. Around 1,200 books donated by world-renowned ecologist Professor Cha Jaecheon are on display, stimulating intellectual curiosity. Here, children can do more than just read science books-they can also participate in hands-on science experiences based on future technologies. Thanks to a partnership with the AI education specialist LG Discovery Lab, AI, robotics, and AR content such as Cubelets coding and robotics principles are available at all times.
This science-focused library is equipped with cutting-edge features, including models of solar system planets, a robot barista, the AI guide robot “CLOi,” and an AR coloring playground, all designed to help children and families naturally experience future-oriented education. As a result, Gangdong Forest Library has sparked a boom on social media as a “hidden gem of Seoul’s libraries,” with a steady increase in visits from young people and families.
Lee Soohee, Mayor of Gangdong District, stated, “Gangdong Forest Library is a new reading culture platform where forest, science, books, and culture come together. We expect it to become a key landmark of Gangdong District, raising the level of local humanities, arts, and culture, rather than just being a simple library.”
Gangdong Central Library: Home to 120,000 Books
While Gangdong Forest Library serves as a multi-cultural space where forest, science, and advanced technology harmonize, Gangdong Central Library (63 Yangjae-daero 84-gil) is elevating local cultural standards as a new model for libraries specializing in the humanities and arts.
Located in front of the large-scale Olympic Park Foreon apartment complex, which houses 12,000 households, this library officially opened on August 31. With a total floor area of 12,056 square meters, spanning four basement levels and three above-ground floors, it boasts a collection of over 120,000 books, making it the largest among district libraries in Seoul.
Handwriting experience at 'Saenggakgot', 3rd floor of Gangdong Central Library. Provided by Gangdong District.
Gangdong Central Library enriches residents’ cultural lives through a variety of specialized spaces. Next to the children’s reading room on the first floor is “Children’s Workshop Moya,” where children can immerse themselves in creative activities using more than 100 types of materials and tools. Here, art, crafts, and other hands-on classes, as well as free-form creative activities, are offered, making it especially popular among families with children.
On the second floor, “Sorigot” offers a space to enjoy over 500 LPs and CDs, allowing visitors to experience a wide range of music genres, from classical to jazz, in high-fidelity sound. This space, where visitors can read books while listening to music, adds a new dimension of enjoyment to the library experience. The third-floor “Saenggakgot” is a space dedicated to transcription, which has recently gained attention among younger generations as writing and copying texts by hand have come back into the spotlight. Here, visitors can deepen their reading experience by hand-copying everything from classical to modern literature in a quiet and calm atmosphere.
Of particular note is the “Carpe Diem” room, which is equipped with a large reading table that accommodates 36 people and a tranquil environment designed for complete immersion in reading. This room houses more than 5,000 classic and modern literary masterpieces, organized beyond standard subject classifications, so anyone can easily find and read books of their choice.
Gangdong Central Library also operates a curated corner called “Friends of Our Library” in collaboration with the Ann Arbor District Library in the United States, the Book Culture Foundation Seed, and the Just Peace Foundation. This area displays news from international libraries and cultural foundations and provides a wealth of recommended books, contributing to cultural exchange among residents and enhancing their appreciation of the humanities.
Lee Soohee, Mayor of Gangdong District, stated, “Gangdong Forest Library and Gangdong Central Library are more than just libraries. We will continue to improve them by reflecting residents’ opinions and do our best to create open libraries that everyone can enjoy.”
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