The Seoul Outdoor Libraries program (“Reading Seoul Plaza,” “Gwanghwamun Reading Plaza,” and “Reading by the Creek”) has successfully completed its mission for the year, attracting over three million people over the eight months from April 18 to November 10. Emerging as one of Seoul’s most attractive cultural programs, the program has been touted as a new model for reading and library service. The number of visitors increased by 1.8 times over last year, with an accumulated number of visitors reaching over five million since its launch in 2022.

Celebrating its third year, the Seoul Outdoor Libraries program expanded from Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Plaza to include the Cheonggyecheon Creek area in an effort to bring books to where potential readers may be.

Among those who visited the outdoor libraries, 85.4% read at least one book at the site. This is a slight increase from last year (83.5%). Given the recent declines in readership, this is encouraging news. According to the 2023 National Reading Survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the proportion of readers within the general population has rapidly decreased from 72.2% in 2013 to 43.0% in 2023. The survey defined “reader” as anyone who read more than one book over the last year in a printed, electronic, or audio format. Audio formats began to be included in the survey in 2019.

In a user satisfaction survey of 5,521 citizens who visited at least one outdoor library site, the satisfaction rate was 91.3%. The public response on the library website was also overwhelmingly positive. Website posts related to the outdoor libraries recorded 28 million views and over 1.1 million “likes.” The popularity of this outdoor library program is attributed to unique implementation strategies customized to each distinct space, expanded cultural programs, attractive programs driving the “text hip” craze, and the pleasure of reading in open, relaxed atmosphere.

The program was customized to the unique characteristics of each space, fulfilling the varied needs of readers. The Reading Seoul Plaza was designed based on the concept of “a living room” in which families gather and read together, while the Gwanghwamun Reading Plaza was more like “a resort experience” as it is surrounded by Gwanghwamun Gate and Mount Bukaksan. Reading by the Creek featured a space where people could enjoy reading while relaxing against the backdrop of the sound of water flowing in Cheonggyecheon Creek. The city provided over 12,000 books at these three outdoor library sites and added some 700 translated copies of Korean literary works for non-Korean readers since mid-September.

The city has also increased cultural programs this year, providing a wide range of entertainment to visitors. Among the 441 performances, lectures, and other events was the Donghaeng farmers market at which 16 local governments showcased their regional products. There was also the Travel Library held in partnership with nine regional governments and 14 foreign embassies to introduce the attractions and traditions of their respective cities and nations. At the Mobile Bookstores, ten local bookstores joined to present unique books and cultural programs. Welcome Seoul, a program held in the Gwanghwamun Reading Plaza, offered exciting Korean experiences to visitors from home and abroad. This program was broadly popular, attracting over 7,300 people.

In particular, programs that combined reading and cultural trends were enthusiastically received by millennials and Gen Z, creating a cultural phenomenon locally termed “text hip.” Examples include “Reading and Relaxing on a Silent Night” at Reading by the Creek at which people enjoyed reading while listening to music selected by a DJ, and “Romantic Theater” and the “Romantic Concert” in the Gwanghwamun Reading Plaza, which combined reading with romantic movies and concerts. The “Reading is Hip” photo contest spotlighting moments when reading felt especially hip attracted a great deal of attention on the internet.

As warm weather came early this year, the city opened the outdoor libraries at night as well from May through October. Many people described reading with soft lighting under the night sky as an unforgettable experience. People also loved the idea of freely choosing from curated books in an open space without having to go through the borrowing process.

The city government raised the brand image of the outdoor library program through a logo using the sky (the sun), a mountain, and water as symbols for the three outdoor libraries. The program’s slogan “Wow, it’s so nice here!” is inspired by the first words out of people’s mouths when they come to the outdoor libraries.

Although this year saw more visits to the outdoor libraries as they opened for a longer period, the rate of unreturned books continued to decrease: 1.3% in 2022, 0.71% in 2023, and 0.51% in 2024. This is a testament to the citizenship of Seoul residents.

In recognition of these achievements, the Seoul Outdoor Libraries program received an international award for two years in a row, a first among South Korean public library programs. They were the Green Library Award in 2023 and the PressReader International Marketing Award in 2024, both from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). The program was also selected for the OECD’s Call for Innovation in Public Service.

What is more, this innovative library model is gradually expanding in other parts of the country. Five districts (Guro, Gwangjin, Seodaemun, Seongbuk, and Songpa) in Seoul have adopted the model and introduced an outdoor library in their district this year. Over 80 organizations and regions across the country also plan to implement an outdoor library program.

During the winter break when the outdoor libraries are closed, the program will continue to interact with interested readers by providing book curation content, such as a list of books perfect for reading in winter.

(Source)

https://news.seoul.go.kr/culture/archives/526238?listPage=1

1) This is a form of saying “Text is hip” among Koreans.