Gyeonggi Province's First Provincial Library, 'Gyeonggi Library' to Begin Construction on 30th

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] The 'Gyeonggi Library,' Gyeonggi Province's first provincial library and expected to become the province's flagship library, is finally beginning construction after over four years of preparation.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 12th that on the 30th, it will hold a 'Gyeonggi Library groundbreaking ceremony' at the main auditorium on the 1st floor of the Gyeonggi Province Government building, attended by Governor Kim Dong-yeon and approximately 200 officials.

Gyeonggi Library will be located at Gyeonggi Convergence Town in Gwanggyo New Town, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, with a total floor area of 27,775 square meters, consisting of 4 underground and 5 above-ground floors. The total project cost of approximately 110 billion won, including 80.1 billion won in provincial funds, will be invested, with a target completion date of December 2024.

Over the past four years since starting the local financial investment review in 2018, Gyeonggi Province has carried out preparatory procedures including land acquisition, design competition, library name selection, permits and licensing, and bidding for construction work.

Gyeonggi Library has adopted a scroll-shaped design with the meaning of consolidating Gyeonggi Province's vision and knowledge in preparation for a new 100 years. Additionally, as an eco-friendly library leading carbon neutrality, the construction will reflect renewable energy facilities such as solar panels and geothermal energy, significantly reducing carbon emissions.

Through the groundbreaking ceremony, Gyeonggi Province will pray for safe and successful construction, while emphasizing the role of a regional flagship library leading the knowledge management era through differentiated exhibitions, experience, education, and the library's four core content areas (Gyeonggi Studies, Peace Square, Future Development, and Humanities).

Lee Hwa-jin, director of the Lifelong Education Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "As Gyeonggi Province's first provincial library, Gyeonggi Library will serve as a control tower enabling all libraries in the province to develop qualitatively, and we will also establish the largest digital library to ensure that residents of 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province can access library materials anytime, anywhere."