The Grand People's Study House is the central library located in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang. The building is situated on Kim Il-sung Square by the banks of the Taedong River.
The Study House was constructed in a traditional Korean style in April 1982 over a period of 21 months to celebrate leader Kim Il-sung's 70th birthday. It has a total floor space of 100,000m2 and 600 rooms. The library was opened as the "centre for the project of intellectualising the whole of society and a sanctuary of learning for the entire people."
The building can house up to 30 million books, of which it contains around 10,800 documents, books and "on the spot guidance" Kim Il-sung wrote. Foreign publications are available only with special permission. Writings of Kim Jong-il are also included.
The library is the national centre of Juche studies, with one North Korean guide reporting to study the "Great Leader" Kim Il-sung and "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il for a total of 90 minutes a day. Lectures on a variety of subjects also take place.
