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Seoul Metropolitan Library

Wheelchair users can visit Seoul Metropolitan Library (서울도서관) through the step-free back entrance, because the front entrance has stairs. It is a public library in Seoul's former City Hall building.

Wheelchair
Wheelchair accessibleStep-free back entrance, elevators inside, and accessible toilets on each floor.
Walking load
Not rated yet
Source
Checked online · Oct 2026
Seoul Metropolitan Library, a gray stone building with a clock, seen across a green lawn with a glass tower behind it
Photo: KTO, KOGL Type 3

Getting there

  • City Hall StationLine 1 and Line 2Street elevators at Exit 9 and near Exits 1 and 2.About 150 m in a straight line.
    Station
  • City Hall Station toiletsLine 1: Outside the gates, B1, by Exit 5. Wheelchair-usable.Line 2: Outside the gates, B2, by Exit 11. Wheelchair-usable.Line 2: Inside the gates, B1, by Exit 10. Wheelchair-usable.
  • Euljiro 1(il)-ga StationLine 2Street elevators at Exits 1 and 5.About 380 m in a straight line.
    Station
  • Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station toiletOutside the gates, B1, by Exit 4. Wheelchair-usable.

Accessible toilets near here

Heads-up

As of October 2026, the library closes every Monday, on public holidays except Sundays, and on government-set temporary holidays. Sources differ on whether it opens when a public holiday falls on a Sunday. Call 02-2133-0300 (+82-2-2133-0300) to ask.

The library can also close for stock checks or building work. It announces these closures in advance.

Groups of 15 or more must book on the library website 1 week ahead, and groups of 30 or more must split into bookings of about 15. Groups under 15 need no booking; stop at the floor 2 information desk first.

Getting in

Entrance
Use the back entrance if you use a wheelchair, because the front entrance has stairs. The back entrance is level with the ground and sits between the library and Seoul City Hall.
Door
The back door appears to be a glass swing door. Ring the bell on its right if you need help, and library staff will come. Whether the back entrance is open now is not known. Call the Disability Collections room at 02-2133-0263 (+82-2-2133-0263) to ask.
Route
The library suggests City Hall Station Exit 5, a 2-minute walk. This exit has no street elevator. See Getting there.
Parking
Parking is limited, so the library recommends public transport. Accessible parking spaces are in the Seoul City Hall car park. As of October 2026, it opens daily 09:00–21:00 and charges 1,000 won per 10 minutes on weekdays, 09:00–18:00. Vehicles 2.3 m or taller cannot enter.

Inside

Elevators
The back entrance leads straight to the Disability Collections room and an elevator. The elevator has room for a power wheelchair, and floors 1 and 2 have elevators on both sides of the center.
Moving around
Indoor floors are flat, and the aisles between shelves are fairly wide. Reading tables have space for a wheelchair underneath.
Exhibits
Floor 3 has the restored former mayor's office and reception room, and floor 5 displays fittings from the old City Hall building. Elevator buttons appear to show floors 1 to 4. Whether the elevator reaches floor 5 is not known.
Toilets
Accessible toilets are available on each floor. On floor 1, they are on both sides of the central lobby and near the back entrance.
Wheelchairs
As of October 2026, you can borrow one of 2 free wheelchairs in the Disability Collections room on floor 1. The same room has a power wheelchair charger.

Also useful

Hours
As of October 2026, the General, Digital and Disability Collections rooms open Tuesday to Friday 09:00–21:00, and Saturday and Sunday 09:00–18:00. The Seoul and Global Collections rooms open Tuesday to Sunday 09:00–18:00.
Admission
Admission is free as of October 2026, and anyone can read the library's materials. Borrowing needs a membership. Short-term foreign visitors who are not registered in Korea likely cannot get one.
Support
The Disability Collections room serves people with disabilities and adults 65 and over, with reading aids and height-adjustable desks. Ask staff whether this covers you.
Contact
Call 02-2133-0300 (+82-2-2133-0300) for general questions. For accessibility services, call the Disability Collections room at 02-2133-0263 or 02-2133-0264 (+82-2-2133-0263 or +82-2-2133-0264).

Not known yet

  • How to reach the back entrance from the street elevator exits, including distance, slopes and crossings
  • Whether the back door is open now, whether it stays open during all library hours, and how wide it is
  • Whether the elevator reaches floor 5, and whether the restored mayor's office has door sills
  • Whether visitors from abroad can borrow a wheelchair, and what ID they need
  • Whether staff can help in English by phone or in person

Sources

The summary, the notes and the lists on this page draw on these sources.

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Tell us

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