Established in 1977 on the former site of Gyeonggi High School, the Jeongdok Public Library is a central public library of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, set in an environment where nature and history are thoughtfully preserved.
The library holds a collection of approximately 500,000 items, including domestic and international books, non-print materials, periodicals, and genealogical records, as well as around 18,000 educational archival items. In 2025, it expanded its specialized services with the opening of the Nobel Literature Lounge, a dedicated space showcasing works by Nobel Prize in Literature laureates.
It also offers a wide range of programs that engage the public, including humanities programs drawing on the historical and cultural resources of Bukchon*, the outdoor library “Book Garden,” and participatory events such as the “Family Book Festival.”
(*Bukchon means “Traditional North Village,” the historic neighborhood where the library is located.)
The library building, designated as a cultural heritage site, together with its seasonal lawn garden, provides visitors with a unique environment for reading and learning. Jeongdok Public Library serves as both a place of rest in the heart of the city and a lifelong learning hub.
Library Overview
- Library Name: Jeongdok Public Library
- Address: 48, Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Facilities: Site Area 36,470㎡, Gross Floor Area 13,282㎡ (3 buildings)
Floor | Spaces |
Building 1 – 1F | Children’s Collection, Young Adult Room, Nursing Room |
Building 1 – 2F | Director’s Office, Administrative Support Division, Information Resources Division, Reading Promotion Division |
Building 1 – 3F | Lifelong Learning Room 1 & 2, Wisdom Forest, Audiovisual Room, Imagination Forest |
Building 2 – 1F | Language & Genealogy Room, Multilingual & Periodicals Room, Nobel Literature Lounge |
Building 2 – 2F | Humanities, Social Sciences & Natural Sciences Collections |
Building 2 – 3F | Digital Commons, Seminar Room, Lifelong Learning Room 3, Study Group Room, Computer Training Room |
Building 3 – 1F | Stacks, Lounge, Information Desk |
Building 3 – 2F | Study Room 2 (Laptop Use), Study Room 1 |
Building 3 – 3F | Study Room 3 (Laptop Use), Stacks |
- Parking: 54 spaces (38 standard, 8 compact, 6 priority for families, 2 accessible)
※ Buses over 25 seats are not permitted.
※ Due to traffic restrictions in the Bukchon Special Management Area, charter buses are not allowed; drop-off is available in front of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul.
- Staff: 66 (including 38 librarians)
- Opened: January 4, 1977
Main Features
- Central library of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education
- Library housed in the former Gyeonggi High School building (a registered cultural heritage site, built in 1938)
- Collection of approximately 500,000 books and non-book materials, as well as 18,000 educational archival items
- Specialized collections and spaces by subject and user group, including the Nobel Literature Lounge, Multilingual Room, and Young Adult Room
- Outdoor reading and cultural spaces in an urban natural setting, including the “Book Garden”
- Collaborative programs with nearby embassies, cultural centers, and museums
- Seoul Education Museum for the collection, research, and exhibition of historical materials on education in Seoul
Nearby Attractions: Cultural Venues, Parks, Temples, and Local Dining
- Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, Unhyeongung Palace
- National Palace Museum of Korea, National Folk Museum of Korea, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul Museum of Craft Art
- Gwanghwamun Square, Songhyeon Green Square
- Bukchon Hanok Village, Baek In-je House, Samcheong-dong Cultural Street, Gyedong-gil
- Jogyesa Temple, Insadong Cultural Street