Library for citizens and rest area for travelers

Jeongdok Library, which opened its door in 1977, is at the center of the village where Bukchon-gil, Samcheongdong-gil and Gamgodang-gil roads meet together. You will see people reading books and taking a walk here. Then, what attracts people to this library? You can enjoy full-blown cherry blossoms in the garden in the spring and take a rest on a bench under wisteria vines beside a fountain in the summer.

The Library gained popularity right after its opening, as there were few libraries in downtown Seoul in the 1970s. People used to wait in a long line at dawn to get a seat. You might wonder why this library was built here in Bukchon.

The library building was formerly the Kyunggi High School. With the development of the southern part of Seoul in the 1970s, the government planned to relocate high schools to the south. Kyunggi High School was the first to be moved. Such decision met with severe opposition from students and graduates. They were worried that the history and tradition of their school would disappear.

Then, the Seoul Government promised to use the school as a library for citizens. It kept its promise by using the school building, schoolyard and affiliated facilities to make a great library.

It would also be fun to visit Seoul Education Museum next to the library. You can learn about Korea’s education history from the fourth century to modern time. The museum displays textbooks, school uniforms and stationery in a chronological order and it also shows a replica of classrooms and stationery stores in the past. You can enter a classroom with old desks, chairs and an organ. An exhibition room with school badges is also very popular.