Describes a new model for public libraries that combines bookstores, libraries, cafes, and restaurants into a single dynamic cultural center. These libraries are operated as a public-private partnership between CCC/Tsutaya, Japan's premier book retailer, and forward-thinking cities throughout Japan.

1. New Model for Public
Libraries - Made In Japan
Steve Coffman
Vice President, Library Support Services
Library Systems & Services

2. In Japan They’re Building Spectacular
New Libraries

3. This is the Tagajo Public Library
• Serves a population of 62,000
• Built with in-part with
‘reconstruction funds’ after town
was devastated in 2011 tsunami
• Has a collection of 225,000+ or
3.62 / per capita, much larger than
typical US public library
• Located next to the town’s main
train station

4. That Combine a Library, Bookstore,
Restaurant, and Coffeehouse Under One Roof

5. Tagajo City Library 1st Floor
(grey space is commercial, white is library)
Starbucks, programming
space and atrium
Storytime area in
children’s library
1st floor of bookstore
from front entrance
1st floor library
reading areas

6. Tagajo City Library 2nd Floor
2nd floor bookstore and ‘wall of
books’
2nd floor library, iPad
OPACs, electronic
event calendar
2nd floor library reading area

7. Tagajo City Library 3rd Floor
3rd floor library quiet study
area
3rd floor library quiet
study area
3rd floor entrance to Public
House Bar & Grill
3rd floor restaurant terrace
3rd floor library view from
restaurant

8. It’s All Outsourced to CCC/Tsutaya, One
of Japan’s Major Bookstore Chains
• CCC/Tsutaya does the overall planning and design
• Usually contributes part of capital cost of construction /
furnishings
• Operates the library and all retail concessions
• Employs all the staff – both library and retail
• City pays CCC to operate the library, CCC pays rent on
retail space
• Typical contract value $1.4-3.0m / year with a 5 year
contract
• Retail space typically accounts for 25-35% of total floor
space

9. New Libraries Have Been a Huge
Success
Use Old Tagajo
Library
New Tagajo
Library
% Change
Visits 93,288 1,424,670 1427%
Visits/Capita 1.5 22.9 1366%
Circulation 229,632 803,163 250%
Circulation/Capita 3.6 12.91 258%
Average Length of Visit 30 min 3 hours 500%

10. Details on Library / Bookstore
Combinations
Bookstore
• Attracts those who wouldn’t visit a
library
• Allows library customers to easily
purchase books without having to make
a separate trip
• Any book or magazine in bookstore can
be read in the library – but must
purchase if you want to take it with you
• Bookstore is profitable when combined
with Starbucks
Library
• Offers much larger selection than typical
bookstore alone
• Library purchases no more than 2 copies
of popular titles – people place holds
and wait or purchase if they want it
immediately
• One-stop shopping, people who want a
book, can get it one way or the other
• Library / bookstore staff is shared in
most CCC libraries.

11. Other Interesting Details About CCC
Libraries
• Open 12 hours per day / 7 days per week / 365 days per
year – do not close on holidays
• All have good wifi but no public access computers – you
can borrow an iPad from the desk for 1 hour if you need it
• Also no databases or ebooks (they don’t read them in
Japan)
• Books and DVDs can be returned by mail from any place
in the country
• No separate meeting rooms, they simply move furniture
out of the way for programming
• Extensive children and adult programming
• Books arranged by ‘lifestyle classification system’ similar
to BISAC
• Background music in selected areas

12. Staffing and Self-Service Technology
• Tagajo operates with a staff of 40, including 35
librarians
• Staff is divided into 3 groups of about 12 each, 2 of
which are on at any time
• Librarians do most everything including circ and
shelving functions
• Limited backroom space, most staff on the floor
• About 80% of the circ goes through RFID self check
• In some CCC libraries, self checks can
accommodate either purchasing or borrowing the
book (see next page)

13. Self Service Buy or Borrow Machines

14. OPAC Book Location Mapping System
Prints on receipt printers
attached to iPad OPACs found
throughout the library

15. Reading Passbook System
Technology made by Ushida Yoko,
a major Japanese conglomerate.
This is not currently in use in the
US – although some ILS can track
reading electronically.

16. Tagajo Library Web Site
Japanese Site
https://tagajo.city-library.jp/library/
English Guide
https://tagajo.city-library.jp/library/en/guide

17. Other CCC Libraries -- Takeo Main
Takeo Public Library, serves population of 49,000. Circulation 500,000. Bookstore
and Starbucks at bottom and right.

18. Other CCC Libraries – Takeo Children’s
New Takeo Children’s Library – sits right beside main Takeo Library. Just opened
September 2017.

19. Other CCC Libraries – Takeo Children’s
Inside the new Takeo Children’s Library – open play/programing area
– shelving area – storytime area – terrace and Pancake Café

20. Other CCC Libraries -- Takahashi
Takahashi City Library. Newest CCC Library. Serves population of 31,000.
Includes Tsutaya Bookstore and Starbucks. Immediately adjacent to train
Station.

21. Other CCC Libraries -- Ebina
Ebina City Library. Serves population of 130,000. Complete renovation of
existing cultural center. 700,000+ visits per year. Circulation 680,000.

22. Other CCC Libraries
Inside Ebina Library. Starbucks and portion of Tsutaya Bookstore on 1st floor.

23. CCC/Tsutaya Diakanyama T-Site Bookstore
in Tokyo
T-Site regularly ranked as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world
and the inspiration for the CCC Libraries.

24. Lessons for Us
• Shows you can build new and dynamic libraries
centered on physical books
• Integration of libraries and bookstores allows us to
draw on both markets, and make everybody happier
– Bookstore users get more depth
– Library users get immediate access to popular titles and
can buy things they want to keep
• Allows you to re-think the library collection – in
CCC/libraries they buy only two copies of popular titles
• Combining all elements – bookstore, restaurant, café,
library clearly does create a community hub – visits
increase from 30min to 3 hours – users and circ both
jump
• PPP helps share the development cost on expensive
new libraries
• Private sector management can bring new efficiencies
and ideas to a field that could use really use them

25. Further Reading
• Japan Is Transforming Libraries Into ‘Vibrant Community
Hubs’ … By Doubling Down on Books
http://www.infotoday.com/OnlineSearcher/Articles/The-Searchers-
Viewpoint/Japan-Is-Transforming-Libraries-Into-Vibrant-Community-Hubs--By-
Doubling-Down-on-Books-121584.shtml
• Library Guide to the Tagajo City Library (English)
https://tagajo.city-library.jp/library/en/guide
Use of Private Sector Dynamism in Japanese Public Library:
Ebina City Central Library
https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/bfup.2017.41.issue-2/bfp-2017-0032/bfp-
2017-0032.xml
• Liberating a Library in Saga Prefecture
https://www.nippon.com/en/people/e00047/