▲ Students study quietly in the library at Centennial Memorial SAMSUNG Hall. Photographed by Kim Hye Ri.

In general, people are accustomed to think of the library as a place for students to study in a solemn atmosphere. Korea University (KU), however, challenges this conventional idea; it plans to create a library theme park by connecting existing infrastructures such as the Main Library and reading rooms at the Central Plaza to a new digital library that will be built in the nearby future. 

There are many libraries for students at KU. To name a few, there are the Main Library and the Central Library for Graduate School at the Liberal Arts and Humanities Campus and the Science Library at the Science and Engineering Campus. Unfortunately, all of these libraries are old and lag behind the times. For instance, the most recent KU library, Centennial Digital Library (CDL), was built 12 years ago in 2004. As a temporary solution, KU has repainted the outer wall of the Science Library and made some few changes here and there, yet no noticeable change has been made in terms of function. As a result, KU has decided that it is time to invest in libraries.

The library director, Kim Seongcheol (School of Media and Communication), said that this new library theme park is based on three strategies: coexistence, communion and openness. Coexistence explains the various functions that the library will carry out. Currently in libraries, KU students study on their own. Students are expected to remain quiet, and if anyone makes a noise, students will give a silent glare toward that person. Even the sound of typing on a laptop is considered as a distraction, so that students who need a laptop for their studies must work in a room where laptops are permitted. KU, however, plans to change everything around. 

Central Plaza will be reconstructed so that students can carry out various activities in one big area. The place will be divided into different areas, each serving a different purpose. There will be a place that displays the most popular books and magazines on a shelf, a room where students can play games and listen to music, and a space where students can experience the Internet of Things (IoT). Students can “commune” with each other within this area by carrying out activities with their friends. “Professors and graduate students have their own space, but that is not the case with KU undergraduates,” said Kim. The change will be made in all school libraries successively. The news is most welcomed by students. “Many students go to cafés to study during the exam periods or to work on their group projects. Now we can use school facilities to study with our friends, which alleviates our financial burden, too,” said Kwon Ik Gyeong (’15, English Language and Literature).

▲ Libraries will be transformed into a place where students can talk freely to each other and carry out group projects. Photographed by Kim Hye Ri.

Furthermore, a digital library will be established behind the Main Library. Most books will be available in e-books and customized research service will be offered to students. If a student wishes to do research on a particular subject, the service will collect all related information using its wide database. As such, the library is future-orientated, keeping up with the latest technology trends. However, some students are feeling uneasy with this change. “I am not sure how this new digital library will differ from CDL because CDL also has e-books and customized research services. Moreover, why are changes always implemented at the Liberal Arts and Humanities Campus? I mean the Liberal Arts and Humanities Campus already has CDL. Wouldn’t it be better to keep CDL where it is and build a new digital library at the Science and Engineering Campus instead?” said Oh Ji Won (’15, Food and Resource Economics). 

Finally, KU will implement a place that stores Korean heritage books and historical materials in the Main Library. If residents wish, they can gain access to these materials as well as lecture notes and theses. This relates to the last essential concept that Kim has stressed about the library theme park, “openness”. “KU has some of the oldest historical documents and books. It would be a pity if these vast and valuable materials are used only by KU students,” said Kim. “Moreover, libraries in Kangbuk district are in poor condition. It would be good if we can share our resources with others.” 

Because the new library will be convenient and pleasant, many students are expected to use the space. Hopefully, this will lead to an increase in reading since it is rare to find a university student these days who reads books other than those required for class. KU also considers making several bookshelves that display books enjoyed by famous KU people. For example, there could be a bookshelf containing the books recommended by the President Yeom Jae Ho or a shelf filled with books adored by Kim Tae Ho, a KU graduate who currently works as a famous South Korean television director. 

It is too early to be happy about the KU library theme park though. Building a new digital library and reconstructing the existing facilities will cost at least five to six billion won. Therefore, KU must receive funds from its students, graduates, companies and the government. In fact, the university is already discussing several ways to encourage people to take part in the project, one of them being the KU Pride Club. “Seoul National University (SNU) has recently constructed one of the biggest libraries in Korea and it cost them around 69 billion won. Nevertheless, SNU managed to build the library because it received enough donations from various entities,” continued Kim. “First and foremost, though, KU can receive help only if everyone on the campus shows passion towards the new library.”

Actual funding starts later this year and construction will begin once KU manages to collect adequate money. Although the exact completion date of the library theme park remains a mystery, it should not be a cause for worry. A library is the heart of a university. It is where students learn and expand their knowledge. KU students, who are active participants in school matters, will be very likely to contribute to this meaningful project and demonstrate great willpower, just like they helped revive the Yeong Cheol Burger business.