Libraries belong to my favourite places. In my opinion, they are some of the few places that still mirror some of the parts of true thirds places where a community can flourish freely. The open come and go, the voluntary silence, the families and individuals of all walks of life, all these things make libraries into truly warm and beautiful spaces.

Before I moved back to Anam to commence the new semester, I frequented one Library in 동작구 especially often: 김영삼도서관. The space is located quite close to Chung-Ang Campus and is easy to reach by subway as well. It is actually pretty close to Kkangmandol library as well, so if all seats there are occupied, you know where to go!

The building was opened to the public on October 30th in 2020 and since then been certified as an educational donation career experience institution by the Ministry November 30th of the following year and the the Mayor’s Commendation for Public Library Fostering and Development at the end of 2021. It is clear to see that within this building, an effort is made to nurture the community that frequent it.

While it may easy to think that libraries only serve one purpose and only offer one kind of experience that is simply not true! In the month of September, planned events include a weekly fairy tale reading club for young kids, an English language practice, parent project, and even a book concert. These projects are free to enrol in for any residents of the intended target group and thus create opportunities for all residents who can make the time. You can read all about them on the well-updated instagram page @kplm_maebong.

Workshops and concerts often happen on one of the lower floors, where a concert hall and workshop rooms are situated. On the floor above, next to the main hall, one is greeted by a column of books, the information desk, and the YS Agora Hall. The building's name-sake Kim Young Sam is honoured in this exhibition space, where one learns about his political endeavours and can read up on efforts of improvement in modern Korean Society.

Kim Young Sam was the first civilian to hold the office of president and introduced many reforms as he stepped into his role after the second democratic election following the authoritarian regimes of Park Chun Hee and Chun Doo Hwan. To protest the latter, Kim famously embarked on a hunger strike that this exhibition emphasizes.