Bookstores these days do not just sell books. To keep afloat in the digital age, they are boosting their offerings by including art galleries in their stores, organising activities such as workshops and even selling alcoholic beverages.

Such efforts seem to be paying off, at least at some places. At about 40 minutes past noon, Kyobo Book Center in downtown Seoul is crowded with people wanting to browse through the latest books.

It is mostly noisy and hectic during lunchtime before most of them head back to their offices nearby, but there are some tranquil spots in this newly-renovated store.

James Byeon, an office worker, often visits this bookstore after lunch.

“It is sometimes hard to find a seat at this table these days,” he said, while looking around for a seat. “If I can’t find one, I just stroll around, look at the paintings or grab a coffee before heading back to my office.”

Bookstores these days are revamping and renovating their spaces to be more than just a place to buy books. At Kyobo Book Center and Youngpoong Bookstore, people can drink coffee, listen to music, and even view art exhibitions.

Youngpoong Bookstore in downtown Seoul has an event hall and a snack corner where people can relax under soft LED lights, while Kyobo has a gallery for people to stroll around and view artworks.

Such changes come as offline bookstores seek to counter competition from online bookstores and the popularity of e-books.

“We recently renovated so that people have more reason to come and stay longer at our bookstore. We now have an art gallery and tables where they can not only read but also chat with friends,” said a spokesperson of Kyobo Book Center. “This is to differentiate ourselves from what online bookstores can offer.”

It is not just large bookstore chains that are evolving to meet the challenges of the digital age. Small bookstores like The Book Society in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu near the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Dreaming Pippi in Jungnang-gu and Book By Book in Mapo-gu are also seeking to differentiate themselves. For instance, The Book Society sells art and design books to cater to art students and professionals. Dreaming Pippi focuses on children’s books.

Book By Book even tries to attract customers by offering a variety of drinks including beers and cocktails. It also has unique book categories such as “In Love With This Author” and it also encourages people to share their thoughts on books by writing on tags. Book By Book holds events like exhibitions, meetings with authors and workshops.

“These offerings are really to encourage people to read more,” said the manager Kim Dae-jun of Book By Book.

The Book Society also occasionally holds seminars by guest speakers from overseas on topics such as graphic design, photography and architecture. Last week, a graphic designer from Germany, Ingo Offermanns, gave a seminar on design.

“We are different in a sense that we provide a space where people can get books that are not available at general bookstores, and they can also attend special themed lectures. This is how we offer a whole new experience for a niche group of consumers,” said Jung A-ram, manager of The Book Society.

With smartphone usage on the rise, people are spending less time reading books and visiting bookstores.

A survey of 5,000 people aged over 19 showed that only 65.3 percent of participants had read a book last year, the lowest since the Culture Ministry began compiling such data in 1994. This equates to three in 10 people not having read a single book the whole of last year.

It is never too early to cultivate a love of reading and children‘s bookstores have a special role to play in this.

“We are aiming to create a venue with interactive activities such as field trips and discussion classes for children to experience the joy of reading,” said founder Lee Gae-myoung of Dreaming Pippi.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com) and Jung Eun-jin (jej2403@heraldcorp.com)