 |
Silgam Seojae, a digital library, at the National Library of Korea. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald) |
The National Library of Korea is welcoming visitors looking for a new way of reading books through its digital library, called Silgam Seojae. The digital library aims to bring books, especially old texts, closer to readers with the latest technologies.
 |
Silgam Seojae, a digital library, at the National Library of Korea. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald) |
 |
Silgam Seojae, a digital library, at the National Library of Korea. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald) |
Visitors can search for books on a touch screen where they receive book suggestions based on the search results, which they can share with other visitors.
 |
Silgam Seojae, a digital library, at the National Library of Korea. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald) |
 |
Silgam Seojae, a digital library, at the National Library of Korea. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald) |
Old texts are offered digitally for reading, with annotations to help readers who are not familiar with old Korean. Books on martial arts, for example, render a demonstration of combat.
 |
Silgam Seojae, a digital library, at the National Library of Korea. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald) |
 |
Silgam Seojae, a digital library, at the National Library of Korea. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald) |
Old maps are re-created digitally to capture the everyday life of Koreans living at the time, with animated figures displayed on the screen.
 |
Silgam Seojae, a digital library, at the National Library of Korea. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald) |
Visitors can also read books using wireless virtual reality headsets, with which they can choose a virtual locale to read books, such as a royal study, or listen to audiobooks
 |
Silgam Seojae, a digital library, at the National Library of Korea. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald) |
A 3D wall allows visitors to take a peek at the high-tech storage techniques being used to preserve some 43 million books the National Library plans to archive, with robots helping maintain optimal temperature and humidity.
 |
Silgam Seojae, a digital library, at the National Library of Korea. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald) |
Visitors should make reservations to tour the digital library. Tours take place six times a day from 10 a.m. to 4:50 p.m., with each one lasting 50 minutes. The library is closed every second and fourth Monday of the month, as well as holidays.
Photos by Park Hyun-koo
Written by Choi Si-young
By Choi Si-young (
siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)
