After many years of saying that I wanted to attend the International Federation of Library Associations’ (IFLA) World Library and Information Congress – I finally made it! And what an experience it was. More than 3000 people from over 100 countries, all learning, sharing, and networking in warm and sunny Busan, South Korea. It was a conference that inspired, reminding me of why I work in libraries.
At the end of the conference I was lucky to participate in one of the scheduled Busan library tours. My tour included two public libraries – the Dongnaegu Innovation Eoullim Small Library and the Geumsaem Library – as well as the Pusan National University library. The library staff at each location were so very welcoming; it was a privilege to see their wonderful spaces and collections.
Following the conference, I also had a tour of the 제3의 시간 / For My Stories library in Seoul. This was a real privilege as adults are not allowed in when the library is open; it is a library just for young people up to 19 years old. The library is a creative space for storytelling in all its forms. There are books and music to enjoy like a traditional library, but also other things for creating story such as sewing, drawing and writing, silkscreening, and woodworking. My daughter would have loved a space like that!
And on the other end of the library spectrum, grand and very public, was the Byeolmadang library in the Starfield Mall in Suwon. It is dramatic with it’s shelves that are 22 metres high. I’m not sure if you can borrow those books – but it sure is impressive!
My little taste of South Korean libraries just makes me want to see more. Something to aim for on my next visit.
A year of discovery 