Seoul National University Library Building. Photo courtesy of the Seoul National University website.
Tucked toward the back of a hilly campus, this six-story library is home to over 880,000 volumes of books. Like many of the other libraries we visited, this one was bustling with students and faculty. Even during the summer, students were busy reading newspapers in the lounge, studying diligently in the many reading rooms, and dropping off theses in the front lobby.
A view of the many stacks.
While it was similar to most of our public libraries, I thought Namsan had some really nice programs, including a very interesting-sounding one called “Bibliotherapy”. I love the idea of books as therapeutic and wish I could have understood a little bit more about how it worked, but unfortunately the language barrier was a little more challenging than usual on this visit. I did learn that while it is available to anyone, it is most popular with older children and young adults. A few things I wondered though: How do they choose the books for the program? What makes a book effective as therapy?
I also liked the exchange program that Namsan has organized with Japan. I hadn’t realized from their website that they actually sent a person there (“human exchange” as Professor Park translated). Again, I would have liked to know a bit more about that and tried to ask the gentleman who was with us about it when we went by the display but didn’t get too far. Still, I appreciated the more international aspects of this public library. (They also had an excellent collection of English-language literature, below).
Just a sample of the impressive English-language collection available at Namsan
Statue outside Namsan Public Library
What struck me most, however, was how busy it was! On a Monday in August, close to 5pm and nearly every seat was taken! That is so interesting because everything I read before coming implied that Koreans didn’t especially value libraries or were just beginning to do so with some concerted efforts by the government. Whether they “value” them or not, they certainly appear to like visiting them!
I also enjoyed the little gallery off the lobby that we visited last. At the moment, the exhibit was photography done by a group of either high school or college age students (I couldn’t tell which). The public library in my home town has a similar room that always displays local art and it’s a very popular feature. What a great way to get the community and local students involved and visiting the library.
Like the National Library, Yonsei was a study in technology and innovation. (Also like at the National library, I would have stayed if I could! Luckily, we were granted temporary library cards so I spent an entire afternoon just wandering around and admiring the virtual fish pond, below).
Virtual Fish Pond
What struck me the most about Yonsei was the depth and scope of planning that went into the entire project. Everything was considered; from the additional 2 floors of below-ground storage space on reserve for future materials right down to the design of the table and chairs. I was especially impressed by the fact that the work stations and all of their components were custom made both for the space and to accommodate the librarians’ and users’ needs. They even thought of putting in cell phone chargers and bars to allow students to secure their laptops should they need to walk away from their station. Well-thought-out is very much an understatement in this case. Also similar to the National Library, there was a Global Lounge, below, which provided language-specific computers for students to use.
Also interesting was the tour guide’s admission that many of the areas and technology were not being used for their intended purposes. I wonder if that really even matters, as long as the space is being used at all? She didn’t seem overly concerned, more just accepting of the fact that you can’t anticipate everything.
No more thumbtacks- Virtual Message Board
It should also be noted that aside from being beautifully designed from a usability stand point, it was a stunning structure. Technology has a tendency to render a space somewhat cold in my opinion, but they did a wonderful job at Yonsei of keeping the area warm and welcoming. The indoor flower bed and chirping crickets, not to mention the roof garden gave the entire facility a very calming, zen feeling that was really very pleasant.
Stunning Yonsei Library Roof Deck
My first thought on this library is “what a wonderful place!”. I don’t have children but I think I would enjoy spending time there myself.
As with the other two libraries, I’m again noticing the amount of planning that goes into every detail (it’s really starting to become a theme). I adored the system they had for children to keep track of the books they’ve read using savings-bank-like passbooks. (Once they return a book, they place the passbook in a very cute, child-size machine which stamps it with the title of the book). It’s interactive, it feels “adult” which I think kids really enjoy and it likely gives them a sense of accomplishment by being able to see all the books they’ve read.
Child-Size Self-Checkout Stand
And the maps and comic books! Biannually, the library creates reading guides in the form of maps and comic books (with illustrations done by high school students), containing summaries and reviews from other students. They were incredible. So clever and beautifully done. I can really see how that would make reading seem appealing to young adults. For a country that is only in the beginning stages of developing its children’s librarian program, they have done a superb job in all aspects of this library’s design and implementation.
I also liked the emphasis they put on foreign language study and the appreciate the amount of money they must have put toward developing their international collections. I’m a firm believer in learning new languages young and this would be an excellent place to start.
“Uncle Sam’s Reading Club” was a fantastic room (I could have stayed all day re-reading my childhood favorites!).
Finally, the director was truly a lovely person. She clearly loves what she does and people like that have such a positive impact on their institution.
This library was truly exceptional. I almost wish we had saved it for last as I suspect others (Yonsei being the exception) will likely pale in comparison. I can’t convey how impressed I was with the entire library. The new digital library was incredible to say the least and the estimated $12 billion price tag almost seems like a bargain. They really thought of everything from recording studios to handicapped accessibility, it was clearly a well-planned and well-executed project.
We were lucky enough to visit on a day when the digital library is officially closed so we were able to appreciate how vast (and tidy) the space really is- computer stations as far as the eye can see! I would also be interested to see it on a busy day; our tour guide told us that thousands of people come in each day to use their resources. (I wonder how often the recording studio and blue screen room are used? And by whom?)
Also interesting was the bank of international computers, a feature also available at the Yonsei University Library. Whether the purpose of these computers is to encourage foreign language study by Koreans or to accommodate international visitors wasn’t clear but either way it is a useful and thoughtful element of the library.
Another aspect that was common in several of the libraries visits was the need to reserve a seat. In most cases, this was done using a large screen near the entrance. You scanned your library card and it brought up a map of the seats from which you could select one to reserve for a certain number of hours (usually a maximum of three). The fact that this is necessary really underscores how very “used” libraries are in Korea. We were continuously amazed at how crowded each and every library was, at 4pm in August no less.
All in all, however, it was an excellent visit and an incredible institution. I am tempted to get a temporary library card and go back!
PS. I especially liked their “mascots”, the three colorful gentlemen below.
Its about 85 degrees with 50 percent humidity and the GSLIS students are tearing up Yonsei University and South Korean libraries. Weve been here for just over five days and have already visited four Korean libriaries: the National Library and Digital Library of Korea, Yonsei University Library, the National Library for Children and Young Adults, and the Seoul National University Library. Each library has offered something new and interesting about Korean librarianship in the 21st century.
On Tuesday we visited the Yonsei University Library here on campus.
The Yonsei Library strives for a balance between technology and nature.
The library first began in 1915 with just 230 books, and has since expanded into a multi-media student center and award-winning research institution. The library includes two buildings: the older Central Library houses a majority of the books and subject specialties and the newer Yonsei-Samsung Library features RFID kiosks, a U-lounge, information commons, multi-media center, a roof garden, and even a few bug zappers. Want to play memory games on the multi-function digital table with your friends or post an advertisement on the digital communication Memoboard? Go for it. The library was bustling in early August and can have up to 10,000 students per day during finals. It’s certainly the place to be.
Tune in later for more adventures from the Soul of Asia.