From Dublin to Seoul and Back Again: A Transformative Vision for University Libraries

From Dublin to Seoul and Back Again: A Transformative Vision for University Libraries

Congratulations to Emily Daly from Dublin City University Library, whose blog post was highly commended in the CONUL Training and Development Library Assistant Blog Awards 2025.
A Journey That Changed How I See Libraries
When I took a five-month break to travel in Asia, I thought I was stepping away from library work. But in Seoul, surrounded by books under open skies, my idea of what a library could be began to shift. It was October, the city buzzing after
Han Kang’s Nobel Prize win
, when I stumbled across the
Seoul Outdoor Library
. Soon, I realised libraries don’t have to stay behind four walls; they can be woven into daily life. Now, in my role as a Library Assistant in the Public Services and Outreach Directorate at
DCU Library
, that vision continues to shape how I see our work. Outdoor libraries aren’t a novelty, but rather a powerful way to connect with the community.
Seoul Plaza: ‘Sky Gazing, Book Gazing’
I had planned to visit the
Seoul Metropolitan Library
, but walking through the adjacent plaza, I stumbled across something unexpected. Thousands of books filled colourful trolleys and boxes. Friends, couples, and families read and relaxed on beanbags, while others played in activity zones woven among the seating. Classical music floated from a nearby stage. Playful and open, it invited not just reading but connection and discovery.
1. Readers sink into stories on pink and blue beanbags outside Seoul Metropolitan Library as evening falls. (Photograph: Author, 2024).
Gwanghwamun Square: ‘Mountain Gazing, Book Gazing’
A short walk away, Gwanghwamun Square unfolded beneath the gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Another 5,000 books mingled with food stalls, K-pop shows, and exhibitions. Children raced to pick books while tourists and locals browsed. It was part library, part street festival, in the heart of the city.
2. Gwanghwamun Square becomes a pastel sea of beanbags and books, set against Seoul’s iconic gate and mountains. (Photograph: Author, 2024).
3. A mother and child read under a tent at Gwanghwamun Square while a tired dad sneaks a nap (Photograph: Author, 2024).
Cheonggyecheon Stream: ‘Water Gazing, Book Gazing’
Another short stroll led to Cheonggyecheon Stream, where the mood shifted to a quiet intimacy with red chairs, book boxes, lanterns, and tables lining the waterway. Couples, families, and friends posed for photos, read side by side, and dipped their feet in the water. The gentle stream mingled with soft conversation. Tucked among the titles, I spotted some Irish writers.
4. Seats, tables, and book boxes line Cheonggyecheon Stream, offering calm spaces to read, chat, and unwind. (Photograph: Author, 2024).
5. Couples, families, and friends share intimate moments by the stream. (Photograph: Author, 2024).
A Library Network Woven into the City
What struck me was how seamlessly these library sites blended into public space. Though…