By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Seoul Library received a donation of 20 books from the Peruvian Embassy in Korea on Feb. 16, containing introductions to Peru's history, culture, and locales. The books, which are donated by countries around the world, will be housed in the Seoul Library's 'World Archives' and will be open to the public for browsing. 

The Seoul Library's World Library, which opened in 2012, holds more than 50,000 books donated by embassies from more than 60 countries. Last year alone, the library received 140 books from embassies in France, Lithuania, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. 

 The Seoul Library not only receives donations of books to introduce and share various cultures with citizens through the World Archive, but also plans various programs in cooperation with embassies to promote cultural exchange, such as book exchange exhibitions, meetings with authors, and book lectures. 

 Recently, to commemorate the pain of the war in Ukraine and pray for peace, the library organized a traveling exhibition of more than 50 donated books related to Ukrainian history, people, and traditional culture at 12 libraries in the city, which was attended by more than 1,500 people.  

The Seoul Library plans to continue exhibiting the embassy's donated books and related programs in conjunction with the Reading Seoul Square and Gwanghwamun Book Market. In addition, last year ('23), the library, together with the French Embassy and the Bang Jeong-hwan Institute, invited world-renowned picture book author 'Baru' to hold workshops for children and discussions for adults on environmental issues. 

 Meanwhile, delegations from various countries interested in Korean culture and seeking exchanges between countries and cities have visited the Seoul Library's World Archives. Last year, the director of the National Library of Taiwan, the director of the Cork City Library in Ireland, and delegations from the Ministry of Culture of the United Arab Emirates and Dubai visited the library, laying the foundation for cultural exchange through books. 

Anyone with a Seoul Library membership card can borrow books from the World Archive. Overseas Koreans and foreigners living in Seoul can become members of the Seoul Library by presenting their Alien Registration Card or Alien Residence Certificate to prove their current residence. 

"We will continue to operate the World Library more fully so that Seoulites interested in world cultures can find the materials they want at any time and meet the wider world through books," said Oh Ji-eun, director of the Seoul Library. "In the future, we will connect with cultural events at the Seoul Outdoor Library to deliver useful information to citizens and promote the charm of Seoul to foreigners.

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