Project : 🏛️ LIBRARY TRIP

🧑‍💻

Project Name : Library Trip Slogan : AI Era, Library Website : - Feature : Audience extension

📝 What is 🏛️ Library Trip?

`🌍 Worldwide` : Report: Losing your job to AI(`🤖 Ai`) doesn’t just lead to unemployment(`💼 Employment, education`), it leaves lasting scars - CNN 2026.04.07

Report: Losing your job to AI doesn’t just lead to unemployment, it leaves lasting scars - CNN 2026.04.07

Report: Losing your job to AI doesn’t just lead to unemployment, it leaves lasting scars | CNN Business

AI-driven job losses may not just make it harder for affected workers to find employment in the short term but also could leave a yearslong “scarring,” marked by depressed income, delayed homeownership and even the lower probability of marriage, according to a new research report from Goldman Sachs.

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/07/economy/ai-job-losses-long-term-effects

Report: Losing your job to AI doesn’t just lead to unemployment, it leaves lasting scars | CNN Business

`🇺🇸 United States` : Libraries Build Business(`🧑‍💼 Business, industry`) | ALA : American Library Association, Google.org

Libraries Build Business

ALA accepted grant proposals from public libraries with a documented history of providing services for small business and/or entrepreneurs for low-income and/or underrepresented groups in their communities. ALA awarded individual awards ranging from $50,000 to $150,000.

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/workforce/grant

Google.org: Google's philanthropy

Google.org connects nonprofits to funding & additional resources. Learn about our philanthropy program and goal to aid underserved communities.

https://www.google.org/

`🇰🇷 South Korea` : The IMF Crisis Drives Unemployed(`💼 Employment, education`) South Korean Workers to Libraries - Maeil Business Newspaper 1998. 03. 09

The IMF Crisis Drives Unemployed South Korean Workers to Libraries - Maeil Business Newspaper 1998. 03. 09

네이버 뉴스 라이브러리

https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1998030900099130001&editNo=15&printCount=1&publishDate=1998-03-09&officeId=00009&pageNo=30&printNo=10003&publishType=00010

T.I.P : CNN (📰 News), Naver News (📰 News)

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When people talk about the future of AI (🤖 Ai), they often focus on what AI (🤖 Ai) can do.

AI (🤖 Ai) can write.

AI (🤖 Ai) can design.

AI (🤖 Ai) can code.

AI (🤖 Ai) can analyze.

Some even believe that AI (🤖 Ai) will eventually replace many forms of human work.

But I often find myself asking a different question:

What will become more important as AI (🤖 Ai) becomes more capable?

My answer is simple:

Thinking.

As AI (🤖 Ai) becomes better at execution, human value increasingly comes from judgment, decision-making, creativity, and the ability to ask meaningful questions.

AI (🤖 Ai) can generate answers.

But humans still need to decide which questions are worth asking.

Recently, I came across several stories that made me think about this idea.

A CNN report discussed the long-term effects of losing a job to AI worldwide (🌍 Worldwide). Beyond unemployment, the article suggested that technological disruption can leave lasting social and psychological impacts.

At the same time, I found stories about libraries.

In the United States(🇺🇸 United States), libraries are expanding their role beyond lending books. They are becoming places where people learn new skills, access digital tools, and even build businesses.

In South Korea(🇰🇷 South Korea), during the IMF financial crisis of 1997–1998, many unemployed workers turned to libraries as places for learning, preparation, and rebuilding their future.

Different countries.

Different generations.

Yet the same pattern appears.

When society changes, people often return to places that help them learn, think, and adapt.

This is why I believe libraries may become increasingly important in the AI (🤖 Ai) era.

Not because libraries compete with AI (🤖 Ai).

But because they help people become better partners to AI (🤖 Ai).

Reading develops reasoning.

Research develops curiosity.

Writing develops clarity.

Learning develops judgment.

These are the very skills that become more valuable when intelligent tools are available to everyone.

From a solopreneur (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur) perspective, the library may be one of the most underrated places in the AI (🤖 Ai) age.

A library is more than a collection of books.

It is a collection of ideas.

It is a place where people can explore new industries, discover opportunities, learn from history, and develop the mental models needed to navigate uncertainty.

In a world where information is abundant, the challenge is no longer access to knowledge.

The challenge is making sense of it.

That is why I started thinking about a project called:

🏛️ Library Trip

A journey through libraries, books, ideas, and learning in the age of AI (🤖 Ai).

Not as a nostalgic return to the past.

But as an exploration of how people can build better futures.

Because while AI (🤖 Ai) may help us do more,

libraries may help us think better.

And in the AI (🤖 Ai) era, the ability to think may become one of the most valuable skills of all.

Search and Traffic Data about 🏛️ Library

T.I.P : Google (💻 Computer and Electronics), Naver (💻 Computer and Electronics)

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As part of my ongoing exploration of AI (🤖 Ai), human attention, and digital behavior, I recently became interested in a surprisingly simple keyword:

Library.

At first glance, libraries may seem like a relic of the pre-digital era. Yet when examining search and traffic data, a more interesting story begins to emerge.

🌍 Global (`🌍 Worldwide`) Search Trends: Library

Looking at Google Trends data for the keyword "Library", global search interest has generally shown a long-term decline.

This is not surprising.

The internet, smartphones, social media, AI (🤖 Ai) tools, and digital content platforms have dramatically changed how people access information. Many of the functions traditionally associated with libraries can now be performed online.

However, the keyword has not disappeared.

Even in the AI era, people around the world continue to search for libraries, suggesting that libraries still occupy a meaningful place in society.

🇰🇷 South Korea (`🇰🇷 South Korea`): A Different Story

What I found more interesting was the Korean data.

When examining Google Trends data for "도서관" (Library in Korean), search interest appears relatively stable compared to the global trend.

Even more interestingly, Naver DataLab data shows signs of increasing interest over time.

This raises an important question:

Why does interest in libraries remain resilient in South Korea (🇰🇷 South Korea) while global interest appears to be declining?

While further research is needed, I believe the answer may be connected to education, lifelong learning, self-development, and the growing need for trusted spaces dedicated to thinking and learning.

AI (`🤖 Ai`) Era, Solopreneurs (`🧑‍💻 Solopreneur`), and Libraries

We are entering an era where AI (🤖 Ai) is changing the nature of work.

Tasks that once required teams can increasingly be performed by individuals working alongside AI (🤖 Ai) tools.

This has led to the rise of a new generation of builders, creators, freelancers, and AI-powered solopreneurs (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur).

Many people focus on what AI (🤖 Ai) can do:

Write

Design

Code

Analyze

But I believe the more important question is:

What skills become more valuable when everyone has access to AI (🤖 Ai)?

My answer is:

Critical Thinking

Judgment

Decision Making

Planning

Research

Communication

AI (🤖 Ai) can generate answers.

Humans still need to decide which questions matter.

🏛️ Why Libraries Matter

This is why I believe libraries may become increasingly important in the AI (🤖 Ai) era.

Libraries are not simply buildings filled with books.

They are environments designed for learning, reflection, exploration, and intellectual growth.

For aspiring solopreneurs (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur), libraries provide access to something increasingly valuable:

Time and space to think.

In a world overflowing with information, the challenge is no longer access to knowledge.

The challenge is making sense of it.

📈 A Traffic Opportunity

From a content and traffic perspective, I also see Library as an interesting long-term topic.

The keyword sits at the intersection of several growing themes:

AI (🤖 Ai)

Employment & Education (💼 Employment, education)

Lifelong Learning

Entrepreneurship

Solopreneurship (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur)

Digital Transformation

Knowledge Management

Rather than viewing libraries as institutions of the past, we may begin to see them as infrastructure for the future.

As AI (🤖 Ai) reshapes how people work and learn, libraries may evolve into places where individuals develop the skills that AI (🤖 Ai) cannot easily replace.

🚀 Looking Ahead

One of the ideas I am currently exploring is:

AI (🤖 Ai) Era, Library

A project focused on understanding the role of libraries in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Not because libraries compete with AI (🤖 Ai).

But because they help people become better thinkers, learners, and decision-makers alongside AI (🤖 Ai).

In the future, the most valuable individuals may not be those who use AI (🤖 Ai) the most.

They may be those who combine AI (🤖 Ai) with deep knowledge, clear thinking, and strong judgment.

And libraries may be one of the best places to develop those capabilities.

AI (🤖 Ai) may help us do more. Libraries may help us think better.

🏛️ Library Trip & Map

Exploring Learning, Libraries, and the Future of Work in the AI (🤖 Ai) Era

Google My Maps (🔖 References) : https://mymaps.google.com/ Naver Map (🔖 References) : https://map.naver.com/ Naver Blog (💻 Computer and Electronics) : http://blog.naver.com/

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Library Trip & Map is a personal project that combines web traffic insights, digital behavior research, and real-world exploration of libraries.

Inspired by the idea that "Traffic is People" I explore how people discover information, learn new skills, and navigate change in the AI (🤖 Ai) era.

To organize this project, I use several platforms that reflect both online attention and offline experiences.

Google My Maps (🔖 References) is used to build a personal library map, documenting libraries I have visited and organizing observations, photos, and insights from each location.

Naver Map (🔖 References) helps connect local discovery with digital search behavior, making it easier for people to find and explore libraries across South Korea.

Naver Blog (💻 Computer and Electronics) serves as a content platform where I share stories, research, and insights related to libraries, AI (🤖 Ai), learning, and digital behavior. By connecting these topics with categories that attract significant online attention, I aim to reach people who are actively seeking information and opportunities.

Notion (💭 Start-notion) acts as the central workspace where I manage project documentation, research notes, library visits, content planning, and long-term ideas.

This project is based on a simple belief:

Libraries are not just places to store books. They are places where people discover ideas, build knowledge, and prepare for the future.

As AI (🤖 Ai) continues to transform how we work and learn, I believe libraries can play an increasingly important role for students, professionals, creators, and aspiring solopreneurs (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur).

Through Library Trip & Map, I hope to document not only libraries themselves, but also the people, ideas, and opportunities connected to them.

Because while web traffic helps us understand what people are paying attention to today,

libraries may help us understand what people are preparing for tomorrow.

🏛️ Library Facility

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One of the goals of the Library Trip & Map project is to evaluate libraries not only as places for reading, but also as infrastructure for learning, working, and building in the AI (🤖 Ai) era.

During each library visit, I document and review facilities such as:

Community Service Centers

Free Water

Free Electricity

Free Wi-Fi

Books and Learning Resources (📚 Books and literature)

Summer/Winter Shelters

Printers

Interlibrary Loan Services

Parks

Parking Lots

Phone Booths

Break Rooms

Digital Resource Rooms

Book Cafés

As AI (🤖 Ai) continues to change how people work, I believe libraries can play an increasingly important role for students, freelancers, creators, and aspiring solopreneurs (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur).

That is why I also evaluate each library from a Solopreneur (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur)-Friendly perspective.

Can you work comfortably for several hours?

Is there reliable internet access?

Are there enough power outlets?

Are digital resources available?

Can the library support learning, research, content creation, and business development?

These are some of the questions I explore through the project.

To me, a modern library is more than a place to borrow books.

It is a public space where people can learn, think, create, and prepare for the future.

Through Library Trip & Map, I aim to identify and document libraries that provide the best environments for lifelong learning and AI (🤖 Ai)-era solopreneurship (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur).

🏛️ Library List in South Korea (`🇰🇷 South Korea`) | K-Library

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K-Library is an ongoing project to document, organize, and explore libraries across South Korea (🇰🇷 South Korea).

The project aims to build a comprehensive library database by collecting information on public libraries, facilities, accessibility, learning environments, and overall visitor experiences.

Library Statistics by Region

Seoul-si — 257 Libraries

Gyeonggi-do — 387 Libraries

Gangwon-do — 70 Libraries

Chungcheongbuk-do — 58 Libraries

Chungcheongnam-do — 111 Libraries

Jeonbuk-do — 68 Libraries

Jeollanam-do — 108 Libraries

Gyeongsangbuk-do — 131 Libraries

Gyeongsangnam-do — 164 Libraries

Jeju-do — 28 Libraries

In addition to maintaining a regional library directory, the project also highlights Best 5 Libraries from each area based on facilities, accessibility, learning resources, and overall user experience.

Through Notion (💭 Start-notion) and other digital tools, I continuously organize library information, document library visits, and evaluate how well each library supports learning, research, and solopreneur (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur) activities in the AI (🤖 Ai) era.

While the current focus is South Korea (🇰🇷 South Korea), I hope to expand the project internationally in the future and explore libraries around the world (🌍 Worldwide).

The goal is simple:

To discover and document the best places for learning, thinking, and building in the AI (🤖 Ai) era.

Because libraries are more than collections of books (📚 Books and literature).

They are public spaces where people prepare for the future.

🏛️ Library vs 🏘️ Bookstore as platform

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When most people think about libraries and bookstores, they think about places that contain books (📚 Books and literature).

I see them differently.

I see them as platforms.

A bookstore is often where new ideas first enter the world (🌍 Worldwide). New authors, new trends, new business models, and new ways of thinking are introduced to the market through publishing.

A library, on the other hand, is where knowledge is collected, preserved, connected, and made accessible to everyone.

In this sense:

🏘️ Bookstores distribute new ideas.

🏛️ Libraries preserve and connect knowledge.

In the AI (🤖 Ai) era, this distinction becomes even more interesting.

As AI (🤖 Ai) makes content creation easier than ever, the value of thinking, researching, writing, and publishing may become increasingly important.

Through projects such as Traffic is People, Library Trip & Map, and Start-Notion, I have become interested in how information moves through society—from creators, to publishers, to readers, and eventually into shared knowledge.

This is one reason I enjoy exploring libraries and bookstores.

Bookstores often reveal what is emerging.

Libraries often reveal what has endured.

Together, they provide a unique view of how ideas evolve over time.

I also believe that modern solopreneurs (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur) are becoming publishers.

Whether through blogs, newsletters, videos, research, books (📚 Books and literature), or digital products, individuals now have the ability to create and distribute ideas at a global (🌍 Worldwide) scale.

Perhaps one of the most important skills in the AI (🤖 Ai) era is not simply using AI (🤖 Ai).

It is learning how to transform knowledge into ideas, ideas into content, and content into value.

That is why I see both libraries and bookstores not only as places for books (📚 Books and literature), but as platforms for learning, publishing, and building the future.

📎 References & Links

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Author : Jinyeung Chae | Linkedin | Github | Portfolio

Jinyeung Chae is a data-driven generalist, project manager, and independent researcher exploring AI (🤖 Ai), digital behavior, and human attention.

Through Start-Notion and Traffic is People, he studies how web traffic and digital signals can help us better understand people, cultures, and emerging opportunities in the AI (🤖 Ai) era.

E-mail : jinyeungchae@gmail.com

📝 What is 🏛️ Library Trip?

🌍 Worldwide : Report: Losing your job to AI(🤖 Ai) doesn’t just lead to unemployment(💼 Employment, education), it leaves lasting scars - CNN 2026.04.07

🇺🇸 United States : Libraries Build Business(🧑‍💼 Business, industry) | ALA : American Library Association, Google.org

🇰🇷 South Korea : The IMF Crisis Drives Unemployed(💼 Employment, education) South Korean Workers to Libraries - Maeil Business Newspaper 1998. 03. 09

Search and Traffic Data about 🏛️ Library

Google Trends : Library

Google Trends : 도서관 (Library in Korean)

Naver DataLab : 도서관 (Library in Korean)

🌍 Global (🌍 Worldwide) Search Trends: Library

🇰🇷 South Korea (🇰🇷 South Korea): A Different Story

AI (🤖 Ai) Era, Solopreneurs (🧑‍💻 Solopreneur), and Libraries