Seoul’s outdoor libraries draw 1 mil. visitors in 3 months, exceeding expectations

Visitors read books at the Seoul Outdoor Library in Seoul Plaza, May 30. Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

After attracting 1 million visitors in just three months, the Seoul Outdoor Library wrapped up the first leg of its 2025 season, with installations at Seoul Plaza and Gwanghwamun Square and along Cheonggye Stream.

Since its debut in 2022 as a public initiative to promote outdoor reading and cultural activities, the Seoul Outdoor Library has attracted more than 6 million visitors.

The open-air libraries will halt operations during peak summer heat in July and August, with the second-half run set to resume on Sept. 5.

User satisfaction with this year’s outdoor libraries reached an all-time high of 96.6 percent, up 5.3 percentage points from the previous year. The same percentage of visitors said they would revisit.

Visitors read books at the Seoul Outdoor Library along Cheonggye Stream, April 23. Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Meanwhile, 97 percent said they would recommend the program to others, and 97.5 percent expressed a desire for it to continue.

Seoul’s outdoor library initiative continues to expand, with new reading spaces opening across the city. This year, the city government began supporting operations in 14 districts, adding locations like Seoul Children’s Grand Park in Gwangjin District and the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail in Nowon District.

The city also launched a rental program offering portable reading kits — including books, chairs, blankets and other essentials — to make it easy to create outdoor reading spaces anywhere. So far, 53 institutions, including universities and elementary schools, have used the kits to operate temporary outdoor libraries.

At the outdoor library experience zone set up during the 2025 Seoul International Book Fair in June, more than 4,000 people visited over five days, reflecting growing public interest in the initiative.

“Seoul’s outdoor libraries are more than just places to read — they’re a cultural asset that enriches daily life and enhances the overall appeal of the city,” said Kim Tae-hee, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s culture bureau. “In the second half of the year, we’ll improve the spaces, content and services to ensure even more citizens can enjoy the joy of reading.”