Grand People's Study House
Library in Pyongyang, North Korea From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Grand People's Study House (Korean: 인민대학습당) is the central library located in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. The library was built in 1982 in honour of the Supreme Leader Kim Il Sung's 70th birthday. It is located in the centre of the capital, situated on Kim Il Sung Square by the banks of the Taedong River, and it is near the Juche Tower, further establishing a connection between the people and the Juche ideology.[1]
| Grand People's Study House | |
|---|---|
| 인민대학습당 | |
 Grand People's Study House, as seen from across the Taedong River. | |
 | |
| Location | Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1982 |
| Other information | |
| Website | www.gpsh.edu.kp |
| Grand People's Study House | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 인민대학습당 |
|---|---|
| Hancha | 人民大學習堂 |
| Revised Romanization | Inmin Daehakseupdang |
| McCune–Reischauer | Inmin Taehaksŭptang |
While the library is the centre of Juche studies, lectures and materials concerning other topics can also be found there. Materials are strictly accessible to librarians and staff, but people can still search the online or print catalogues to find what they would like to borrow. A formal communication from the library is issued to the offender's employer if a borrowed item is not returned on time. Staff members are then required to return the item right away. Likewise, foreign publications are available only with special permission.
Features
Summarize
Perspective
Serving as a manifestation of leader Kim Il Sung's "spirit and wisdom",[2] the Study House was constructed in a neo-traditional Korean style at the insistence of Kim Jong Il.[3] Construction began in April 1982 and spanned 21 months to celebrate leader Kim Il Sung's 70th birthday.[4] Opened as "a sanctuary of learning",[5] the library is located in the center of the capital, the Central District of Pyongyang, near the Supreme People's Assembly.[1]
In each room and in every atrium, portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are hung, reminding visitors of the country's strict surveillance.[2] The library has a total floor space of 100,000 square metres (1,100,000 sq ft) and 600 rooms.[6] Its size is determined by the number of books it is expected to store;[7] in this case, the Grand People's Study House can house up to 30 million books,[5][8] of which it contains around 10,800 documents, books and "on-the-spot guidance" written by Kim Il Sung.[9] The writing of his successor, Kim Jong Il, are also included. Materials are accessible to librarians and staff, and library visitors need search the online or print catalogues to find what they would like to borrow and place a request.[1] Foreign publications are available only with special permission.[10] When borrowing period expires, the employer is then required to remind their staff member to return the item right away.[1]
Operations
The library is the national centre of Juche studies, with one North Korean guide reportedly studying the "Great Leader" Kim Il Sung and "Dear Leader" Kim Jong Il for a total of 90 minutes per day.[11] Lectures on a variety of subjects also take place;[12] American evangelist Billy Graham gave a talk in the Study House in 1994, when the religious practices in North Korea were often met with harsh punishments.[13]
The institutional organization of North Korea is hierarchical, with the president of the Grand People's Study House at its apex. The president gives orders to the national libraries, assigning each of them specific discipline or subject area, and determining their collections.[1] As of 2019, the curator is Choi Heui-jung.[14]
Significance
Summarize
Perspective
Although not the national library of North Korea, the Grand People's Study House acts as a sort of "quasi-national library" alongside the official National Central Library.[15] Further supporting this reputation is the library's popularity; on 28 January 1989, the Pyongyang Broadcasting Station reported that since the library's inception, over 10 million people have visited the Grand People's Study House annually.[16] In his two-part account of North Korean libraries, library and information scientist Marc Kosciejew[17] uses the conceptual framework of "library-as-place", illuminating its significance in the lives of North Koreans as both a place of cult of personality and governmental control, as well as an opportunity for cultural and social gatherings. It is also across from the Juche Tower, the physical manifestation of North Korea's Communist brand, cementing the connection between the people of North Korea and the Juche ideology.[1] The library further helps reinforce the Juche mindset through the tightly controlled and monitored information and events that are available to the public, but the fact that the library makes some information available is notable among the country.[2]
The library, as well as for those who use it, follows Kim Il Sung's "study while working" mindset to help North Koreans advance their socialist and self-reliant education, and strengthen their admiration for the Kim family. For major media coverage, the library is often seen in speeches, military and nuclear parades, and performances celebrating national holidays.[1]
Computers and librarianship
The library has numerous spacious computer rooms with modern computers providing access to the North Korean intranet. Alongside Juche, computer education is compulsory in North Korea, making them the two most popular subjects studied by military officers and university students. People with computer-related office jobs, such as librarians, are seen in high regard.[1] As of 2019, the curator is Choi Heui-jung.[14]
Gallery
Grand People's Study House Library
Visitors searching for books at a computer catalogue at the Grand People's Study House
See also
References
Citations
External links
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