Some 2,000 librarian-curated books will fill open-air shelves when the event opens Thursday; author talks, jazz and magic performances, and reading zones with camping chairs and headsets round out the program
Gangseo-gu in Seoul is launching an outdoor reading space along a downtown street, offering residents a place to relax and enjoy culture outside the confines of a traditional library.
The district will run "Haneul-pum Outdoor Library" — or "Sky-Embracing Outdoor Library" — at Magok Culture Street near exits 1 and 9 of Balsan Station for a total of eight sessions from Thursday through Sept. 13. The space will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The concept mirrors the annual outdoor library the Seoul Metropolitan Government hosts at the plaza in front of City Hall.
Running under the slogan "an open library without a roof," the event is designed as a space where anyone can read freely without worrying about minor noise or the rustle of turning pages.
This year's outdoor library centers on the theme of "secrets," inviting visitors to discover hidden stories within books.
Librarians at Gangseo District Public Library have curated about 2,000 titles, organized under four sub-themes: inner secrets, relational secrets, secrets of technology, and the catharsis of confession.
Reading zones have been designed to suit different preferences. A "Silent Book Zone" set up along a high-traffic stretch provides camping chairs and headsets so visitors can listen to music while reading undisturbed.
A "Book Plus Zone" is furnished with plush sofas and chairs for those who prefer a more relaxed setting.
A range of talks and performances will take place throughout the event. Author Hwang Ye-sol speaks Sunday at 3 p.m., exhibition planner Lee Jang-uk of Space K on Sept. 12 at 3 p.m., and author Ko Myeong-hwan on Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. Acoustic jazz, magic and circus performances are also scheduled.
Hands-on activities organized with local partners add to the program. Kyobo Book Centre's Onegrove branch will offer a used-book exchange and bookmark-making workshop, while YES24's Gangseo NC branch will host a handwriting transcription booth. Seven organizations in total are taking part.
The opening ceremony will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in front of exit 1 of Balsan Station on subway Line 5. The district will also run an eco-friendly campaign from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, offering beverage discounts to visitors who bring their own tumblers.
Those wishing to join scheduled programs can register on a first-come, first-served basis through the Gangseo District Integrated Library website.
"This event will be a special experience for people to soothe their weary everyday minds in the heart of the city and rediscover the joy that books bring," District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon said. "We will make it an open cultural space where anyone can come comfortably and enjoy themselves to the fullest."
For more information, contact the Gangseo-gu Office's Education Support Division.
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