An open library and café covering over 540 square meters
To serve as a natural wellness spot and community hub
Dankook University has opened Beartopia on the Jukjeon campus, an open library with nature as its backdrop.
The new nature-friendly library is located at the campus’ waterfall park which has become a popular community destination for those seeking some rest and tranquility. The library, which covers over 540㎡, gets its name from ‘Bear,’ which is Dankook’s mascot, and the Greek term ‘topia,’ which refers to land, field, and location. Its goal is become a venue for visitors to rest or study as well as to foster creative ideas in preparation for the future.
Beartopia consists of an open library, university merchandise display, coffee shop, and outdoor rest area. Equipped with more than 2,000 books, it functions as an open library where students and citizens alike can come and go freely with a good book. The outdoor area has been sculpted into an enchanting venue that showcases an artificial waterfall and allows visitors to pause and recover from their busy lives.
“Dankook University is taking the lead in providing venues for healthy lifestyles and quality education to members of the university and local community to achieve our sustainable development goals (SDGs),” explained DKU President Soon-Cheol An, who added that “[we] will offer programs to encourage people to read and experience the joy of reading while embracing nature, and also strive to promote various creative arts events.”