Maeul-in-Suda (Community Dialogue Forum): Where Democratic Dialogues Begin

Abstract

This poster introduces Maeul-in-Suda, a community dialogue initiative led by Seongbuk Public Libraries in Seoul, South Korea. The program positions public libraries as open, inclusive civic spaces where residents meet, learn, and discuss local social issues that matter in their lives. Moving beyond traditional information provision, the initiative fosters democratic citizenship, active participation, and community solidarity. The framework operates through a structured six-step process: collecting local issues via community assessment and media monitoring; defining issues through public polls and topic refinement; selecting a primary issue; facilitating shared learning through lectures, workshops, book clubs, and site visits; hosting public dialogues; and archiving outcomes in a knowledge repository.

Strong partnership among librarians supports this workflow through regular meetings and continuous capacity-building activities. Guided by core principles of respect, open expression, and collaborative problem-solving, Maeul-in-Suda ensures accessible, uncensored information sharing for everyone. Between 2016 and 2025, the project organized 90 democratic dialogues on 90 social issues, engaging more than 3,000 participants from children to older adults. Ultimately, this initiative clearly demonstrates how modern public libraries function as vital, sustainable local platforms for meaningful civic dialogue, active engagement, and social connection.