"This is a meaningful achievement that demonstrates international recognition of Seocho-gu's policy linking environmental education and reading culture."
Jeon Seong-su, mayor of Seoul's Seocho-gu, said the Bangbae Forest Environment Library has become the first Korean public library listed in the SDG Stories section of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Library Map of the World.
IFLA is the world's largest international organization in the library field, with library associations and libraries from more than 150 countries as members. The IFLA Library Map of the World documents the state of libraries around the globe and highlights, through its SDG Stories section, best practices that contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The library's inclusion in SDG Stories carries particular significance because its community-driven environmental education and sustainable reading culture programs have now received international recognition. As the first Korean public library to be listed, it also gives Seocho-gu an opportunity to introduce its environment-and-reading policy and programs to the international community.
Opened in 2023, the Bangbae Forest Environment Library is a district-run library that integrates environmental themes throughout its operations. It has continuously offered a wide range of reading and cultural programs — including ecology education using forests and nature, resource-recycling campaigns and community-linked environmental initiatives — designed to help residents incorporate eco-friendly practices into their daily lives.
Among the programs singled out for recognition were "Kkaealleo" (environmental supporters), a resident-participation environmental action program; "Jupjuprun," an environmental reading activity; and ecology education run in partnership with local schools and environmental organizations. These were cited as representative examples of how the library has helped build a sustainable, eco-friendly culture together with the community.
IFLA featured these activities in the Library Map of the World's SDG Stories under the title "From Environmental Awareness to Climate Action: Building Sustainable Lifestyles Through a Library," sharing the library's best practices with libraries worldwide. The full listing is available on the IFLA Library Map of the World's official website at librarymap.ifla.org.
The district plans to use the Bangbae Forest Environment Library as a hub to expand environment-and-reading programs across all district-run libraries, working toward building a "sustainable reading culture city" where climate and environmental action become part of everyday life.
"This SDG Stories listing is meaningful because it shows that Seocho-gu's environment-and-reading policy, built together with our residents, has earned international recognition," Jeon said. "Going forward, we will continue to expand programs combining environmental and reading themes from the Bangbae Forest Environment Library to all district-run libraries, leading the way in spreading eco-friendly daily practices and a sustainable reading culture among residents."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
