Enhancing Library Recognition Through Cultural Partnerships: Namsan Library’s Modular Package Tour Model

Abstract

Namsan Public Library, established in 1922, is located on Seoul's iconic Namsan Mountain amidst major tourist landmarks. Despite its prime location, the library faced a steady decline in visitors, creating operational challenges. To address this, the library launched an innovative guided tour program that connects internal library spaces with surrounding cultural institutions. Three internal modules highlight the library's 100-year history, its old book archive "Mokmyeokgwan," and key reading facilities. Three external modules link to nearby sites including the Seoul City Wall, An Jung-geun Memorial Hall, and the Seoul Convergence Science Education Institute. Additional efforts such as custom membership cards, themed merchandise, and the "Booknic" outdoor reading experience enhanced user engagement. As a result, annual visitors nearly doubled from 593,598 in 2022 to 1,114,862 in 2024, and new memberships increased from 4,007 to 8,785 in the same period. Building on this success, the library aims to expand its community programs and promote reading culture through continued local collaboration and experiential services.