Seoul Subway Station Libraries |Site Visits & Grand Opening

On this day, I joined my supervisor and several librarians to two satellite libraries situated along the 신분당선 Sinbundang Subway Line (Red Line). I was introduced to the services offered at the satellite libraries as well as to understand collection development and themes. The library is free standing with no library staff present. There is a self-service library card setup and a self-check kiosk.

1. 신분당선 Sinbundang Subway Line (Red Line)

동전역 Dongcheon Station - Dongcheon-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do

Along the Sinbundang Subway Line, 느티나무 도너관 (Neutinamu Library) has two satellite libraries strategically placed at two subway stations along the Sinbundang line. These satellite libraries offer commuters who cannot access library books from the Neutinamu library location, can do so while they travel to and fro. The collection ranges from themes on travel, social issues, children's books, and non-circulating.

On the color poster boards on the bookshelves are the themes written in the form of a question or statement to foster critical thinking.

성은왜대명사가되었나? Why did gender become a pronoun?

지매, 그들의삶, 당신의삶 Dementia, Their Life, Your Life

이주 - 디아스포라 Migration and Diaspora

2. 신분당선 Sinbundang Subway Line (Red Line)

정자역 Jeongja Station - Seongnamdaero Jiha, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do

On the color poster boards on the bookshelves are the themes written in the form of a question or statement to foster critical thinking.

생횔 속의 재난 A Calamity in Life

연애편지쓸때 Writing a Love Letter

Independently Published Books for Checkout

Twice a week, two librarians visit both locations to maintenance, collect new library card applications, and re-fill the shelves.

In addition to visiting these two locations, my supervisor and several librarians were also meeting with two government officials that represent the transportation department of Seoul Metropolitan Subway in regard to opening up a third Neutinamu subway library at Gwanggyo Jungang Station.

They looked over the space, talked logistics, and made further suggestions.

It was absolutely fascinating to be inviting to witness this part of the process. I learned that when building the two subway stations, that the librarians worked diligently and with their own hands building the library space.

Grand Opening of New Subway Library

| Feb 27, 2018

신분당선 Sinbundang Subway Line (Red Line)

광교중앙 Gwanggyo Jungang Station

With approval for Seoul Transportation Department, the grand opening for the third subway station commenced on February 27, 2018. I was in charge of taking photos to document the event from start to finish. As I took photos of the librarians working hard setting up the event, I was in awe of how fast they worked. It was very apparent they did well in planning for the event. It was all so emotional for me because as the event unfolded, I realized how important it is for people to have libraries in their lives. I witnessed commuters' curiosity of the book collection. I saw children reading picture books, and the delight of library staff answering questions, handing out flyers, meeting new people. I saw eager faces awaiting the start of the book talk and book signing of famous Korean writer Young-ha Kim. I felt honored wearing a 'Staff' badge wondering around capturing photos of everything. Lastly, I felt especially proud of Neutinamu staff for their hard work and dedication for expanding their library to reach a wider audience, making life-long learning so magical.

Before:

Neutinamu Website Press Release & Gweonggi-do News Portal Press Release

After: