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 KoreaPark Wansuh Archive to Be Established in the Second Half of 2025

Advanced Search

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

Browse

SNU P. Archive

Rare Books

Subject

Language

Era

Type

Explore Collections

Exhibitions

[Current 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

[Shabook Shabook] Revitalizing Joseon Era Documents with 21st-Century Technology

Seoul National University Library is dedicated to the systematic preservation and management of its archival heritage. While investigating the philological value of documents to apply for national cultural heritage designation, we prioritize the restoration of some valuable books within our limited budget.
In the eleventh episode of Shabook Shabook, we meticulously document the entire process of restoration, breathing new life into the faded old documents. Our efforts will continue until all 646 valuable books regain their former glory.

[Shabook Shabook] The Birth of General Public Readers and the Modern Documents of SNU

SNU Library, which holds approximately 210,000 modern literature materials, is Korea's largest modern literature collection institution. In the tenth episode of Shabook Shabook, we introduce modern newspapers, first edition magazines, Ttakjibon novels, and paperback editions held by SNU Library and explore their cultural and historical significance.
Join us on a brief time travel to the world of modern literature that heralds the birth of readers with Professor Cheon Jung-hwan, the author of “Reading in the Modern Era.”