Located inside Seoul’s COEX shopping mall, Starfield Library is widely recognized for its dramatic bookshelves, open design, and popularity among tourists and social media users. Many visitors come primarily to photograph the space rather than to read, raising questions about whether this kind of activity distracts from the purpose of a library or creates new forms of public engagement. Previous studies have examined Starfield Library in relation to spatial design, user experience, cultural consumption, and its role as a commercial and cultural landmark. Less attention has been given to how visitors themselves define and use the space through tourism, photography, online reviews, and social media. This presentation explores how these activities shape Starfield Library’s identity as a reading space, tourist attraction, cultural venue, and commercial amenity. Using institutional materials, media coverage, and a qualitative review of online visitor comments, the study examines how visitors describe their experiences and what they appear to value about the space. It considers whether people who enter mainly to take photographs can still be understood as library users, how online sharing influences public perceptions of the library, and whether visibility and high attendance can lead to deeper engagement with books, programs, or cultural learning.
The presentation concludes by considering what libraries in Hawaiʻi might learn from this case. Attractive spaces and strong online visibility may help libraries reach people who do not initially see themselves as library users. At the same time, attendance alone does not necessarily demonstrate meaningful engagement with information, reading, or library services. Starfield Library offers an opportunity to rethink what counts as library use, how physical and digital spaces shape public participation, and how libraries can welcome new audiences without allowing spectacle or commercial interests to overshadow their educational and public service missions.
