The Largest Repository of Rare and Old Books Among University Libraries in KoreaThe Most Extensive Repository of Modern Libraries in KoreaThe Most Extensive Repository of Western Rare Books in Korea Park Wansuh Archive Opening in February 2026

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Main Collections

SNU People Archives

Various archival materials curated, studied, and preserved by the SNU Library

Newspapers

Various news related materials such as newspapers from late 19C to early 20C (e.g., Hanseong sunbo), the Korean Federal Register from 1895 to 1910, and newspaper clippings from the Keijō Imperial University Law School

Pictorial Collections

Photography and art books assorted by the SNU Library

Magazines

Magazines published in Korea and abroad from the Englitenment period to post-liberation

Ttakjibons

Commercial Korean fiction published in in the early 20th century using movable metal type, with vivid, colorful covers resembling ttakji(ddakji)

Cultural Heritage

A diverse collection of cultural heritage including state-designated heritage, state-registered cultural heritage and UNESCO Memory of the World

Rubbings

Rubbings of various inscriptions held by the SNU Library

Ilsa Collection

Collection donated by Bang, Jong-hyeon (1905–1952), who served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts at SNU, with over 4,500 highly valuable books for research in Korean language and literature

Maps

Collection of old and modern maps from Korea, China, and Japan

Garam Collection

Collection of Lee, Byeong-gi (1891–1967), once a professor of the College of Liberal Arts at SNU, with approximately 3,500 books of high academic value in Korean literature and bibliography

Western Rare Books

SNU Library offers the most extensive collection of Western rare books in Korea

Western Books on Korea

Western rare and old books on Korea held by the SNU Library

Simak Collection

Collection donated by Lee, Sung-nyong (1908-1994), once a professor of the College of Liberal Arts at SNU, with over 9,000 highly valuable books for research in Korean language

Ilseok Collection

Collection donated by Lee, Hui-seung (1896-1989), once a professor of the College of Liberal Arts at SNU, with over 6,400 highly valuable books for research in Korean language and literature

Sangbaek Collection

Collection of Lee, Sang-baek (1903-1966), once a professor of the College of Liberal Arts at SNU, with approximately 4,500 books of high academic value in sociology, history and bibliography

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SNU P. Archive

Rare Books

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Exhibitions

[Past Exhibit] An Invitation to Western Rare Books: From Plato to Goethe

Date: Feb 10, 2025 – Apr 11, 2025
Location: Kwanjeong Gallery, 1st Floor, Kwanjeong Building
Content: Special exhibition of Western Rare Books
Note: We will extend the exhibition until Tuesday, May 6

[Past Exhibit] Small Exhibition: Yi Sang as a Poet, Painter and Architect

Date: Dec 9, 2024 – Jan 31, 2025
Location: Rare and Old Book Collections (6F, Central Library)
Contents: Yi Sang special exhibition commemorating the 90th anniversary of Ogamdo's publication

Shabook Shabook

[ShabookShabook] Encyclopédie – La mémoire, la raison et l’imagination de l’humanité réunies

Dans ce vingt-et-unième épisode, nous présentons l’édition originale de l’Encyclopédie, première grande encyclopédie de la modernité occidentale, conservée exclusivement à la Bibliothèque centrale de l’Université Nationale de Séoul en Corée.
Comment une œuvre conçue au XVIIIᵉ siècle en France pour transmettre l’ensemble des savoirs humains a-t-elle rejoint la SNU?
Aux côtés du professeur Lee Youngmock qui a joué un rôle décisif dans l’acquisition de cet ensemble précieux, découvrez l’histoire de ce chef-d’œuvre où se rassemblent la mémoire, la raison et l’imagination de l’humanité.
À l’occasion du 140ᵉ anniversaire des relations franco-coréennes, nous vous invitons à porter attention à l’exposition spéciale organisée en 2026 par la Bibliothèque centrale de l’UNS et l’Ambassade de France en Corée.

[ShabookShabook] Two Sociologists on Korean Society, History, and National Origins and Prospects

In the 20th episode of ShabookShabook, produced in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s Liberation,
we present a special conversation with Professor Shin Yong-Ha, a scholar who has dedicated his life to the study of the Korean nation.
Professor Shin Yong-Ha and his student, Professor Park Myoung-Kyu, reflect together on the direction of nationalism that we should pursue, and on the aspiration to build a peaceful community for the future.