The Seoul Metropolitan Library on Aug. 27 said it received the Green Library Award from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Shown are people reading books at Book Reading Seoul Plaza, an outdoor library arranged at Seoul Plaza in the capital's Jung-gu District.

By Park Hye Ri
Photos = Seoul Metropolitan Library

The Seoul Metropolitan Library has received a Green Library Award from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

The library on Aug. 27 said it placed third in this year's awards on Aug. 22 for its Eco Project in Seoul Metropolitan Library for SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) at the 88th IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The winner was West Vancouver Memorial Library in West Vancouver, Canada, and the runner-up Biblioteca Civica Villa Valle in Valdagno, Italy.

IFLA is the world's most prestigious international organization for libraries, with about 1,500 library association members in 150 countries. The award goes to libraries that greatly contribute to the environment and SDGs.

Among the estimated 21,000 libraries in Korea, the one in Seoul is the first to receive an honor from IFLA.

The Seoul library submitted several projects to IFLA, with the one attracting the most interest being Book Reading Seoul Plaza. As the world's first outdoor public library, the event at Seoul Plaza featured about 5,000 books in a cultural experience allowing people to read next to nature. 

The campaign "Libraries Are Cool: Turn Off and Go To the Library!" (unofficial translation) was also honored. Promoting awareness of the environment, it sought to encourage more visits to libraries during periods of intense heat or cold to reduce heating and cooling costs and carbon emissions from homes.

IFLA also cited the Seoul library's recycling of old banners outside its walls into bags patrons can use when borrowing books under its Zero Waste Seoul" policy of taking the lead in recycling and limiting the use of disposable items.

"It's an honor to have the opportunity to promote to the world Seoul's outstanding library policy through this award," said Choi Kyeong-ju, chief of the city government's culture division. "We will continue fulfilling our social role as an eco-friendly library that represents Seoul and Korea."

Delegates from the Seoul Metropolitan Library on Aug. 22 take a group picture at the 88th IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, after receiving a Green Library Award.