Public libraries in Japan have undergone significant transformations in recent decades. They have expanded their roles from primarily lending books to becoming community hubs that provide information services and spaces for social activities. This is due to factors like declining birthrates, an aging population, and the need to attract more visitors. Future libraries are envisioned to offer technology services, collect and organize diverse information resources, and facilitate networking among community members. The new Onna Village Culture and Information Center aims to serve both as a tourist information center and library, continuing this trend, but its success will depend on community commitment.

1. Science in Society, Society in Science
LIBRARIES TODAY, AND
THE LIBRARY OF TOMORROW
OIST Seminar
Date: 2014-01-21 (Tue)
Place: OIST
1
Makoto Okamoto @arg
Academic Resource Guide, Inc.
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2. Have you recently
visited your local
public library?
Science in Society, Society in Science
INTRODUCTION
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3. Visit
a public library in your
neighborhood or on your way
Because
public libraries in Japan
have been in the process of
significant transformation in the
past decade
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Science in Society, Society in Science
INTRODUCTION
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4. ≠Libraries
as the
facilities for children
≠Libraries as the place
to borrow books
Science in Society, Society in Science
INTRODUCTION
4
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5. The transformation
of public libraries
in Japan
Science in Society, Society in Science
INTRODUCTION
5
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6. 1,742 municipalities in Japan
 1,300 have public libraries

74.6%
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EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES
6
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7. 
Ama Town Central Library
Shimane Prefecture
 Population: 2,000

Science in Society, Society in Science
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-AMA TOWN CENTRAL LIBRARY
7
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8. Science in Society, Society in Science
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-AMA TOWN CENTRAL LIBRARY
8
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9. Science in Society, Society in Science
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-AMA TOWN CENTRAL LIBRARY
9
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10. 
Whole-Island Library Initiative
Science in Society, Society in Science
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-AMA TOWN CENTRAL LIBRARY
10
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11. Science in Society, Society in Science
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-AMA TOWN CENTRAL LIBRARY
11
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12. 
Kumamoto Shintoshin Plaza Library
opened in 2011 in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture
 as part of the Kumamoto station redevelopment project
associated with the start of new Kyushu Shinkansen

Science in Society, Society in Science
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-KUMAMOTO SHINTOSHIN PLAZA LIBRARY
12
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13. 
Kumamoto Shintoshin Plaza







Tourism and local information center
Business Start-up Support Office
Public Service Corner
Plaza Library
Business Support Center
Plaza Hall
The center of the city
Conference Room
Kinokuniya Bookstore is in
charge of the administration of
this library as the Designated
Administrator. Designated
Administrator System
Library
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Science in Society, Society in Science
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-KUMAMOTO SHINTOSHIN PLAZA LIBRARY
13
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14. Science in Society, Society in Science
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-KUMAMOTO SHINTOSHIN PLAZA LIBRARY
14
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15. How many people do
you think have visited
there in 2 years?
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EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-KUMAMOTO SHINTOSHIN PLAZA LIBRARY
15
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16. Ref. Population of Kumamo City: 740,000
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Science in Society, Society in Science
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-KUMAMOTO SHINTOSHIN PLAZA LIBRARY
16
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17. 
Ina City Library
Nagano Prefecture
 Library of the Year 2013 Grand Prize
 Open recruitment of library director (2007)

Science in Society, Society in Science
EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-INA CITY LIBRARY
17
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18. 
The library developed an application for smartphones
and tablets that helps town walking and has been
hosting town-walking workshops
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EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS
IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES-INA CITY LIBRARY
18
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19. FOR CHANGES IN LIBRARIES
Why
such changes
are happening?
Science in Society, Society in Science
REASONS
19
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20. 
2003:



MEXT published “Libraries as community information hubs
(toward problem-solving libraries).”
2006:


Yamanaka-ko Information Creation Center opened. The center
was the first to adopt the Designated Administrator System.
2005:


“Library to Create the Future” by Akiko Sugaya was published.
Local Autonomy Act was partially amended to introduce the
Designated Administrator System.
2004:


FOR CHANGES IN LIBRARIES
MEXT issued a report “Vision for Future Libraries” and proposed
the role of libraries as “Information centers that support
communities.”
Science in Society, Society in Science
REASONS
2007:

Totally redesigned Chiyoda Library reopened.
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21. FOR CHANGES IN LIBRARIES
Political context
+
Economic context
Science in Society, Society in Science
REASONS
21
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22. 
FOR CHANGES IN LIBRARIES
Declining birth rate
40 years old: 2,090,000
20 years old: 1,200,000
Science in Society, Society in Science
REASONS
22
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23. FOR CHANGES IN LIBRARIES
From
Commercial facilities
to
Public facilities
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Science in Society, Society in Science
REASONS
23
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24. FOR CHANGES IN LIBRARIES
Libraries
are now expected to
assume more roles than just book
lenders.
Libraries are expected to connect
people to people, in addition to their
traditional role of connecting people
to information.
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Science in Society, Society in Science
REASONS
24
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25. OF
FUTURE LIBRARIES
 Library
Law (1950~)
 based on the Report of the United
States Education Mission to Japan
(1946)
 influenced by the library system in the
US
Science in Society, Society in Science
THE PREMISE
25
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26. 
OF
FUTURE LIBRARIES
Article 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Books, archives, audio-visual materials and other necessary data and materials (hereinafter
referred to as "library materials") shall be collected, and provided for the use of the general
public, with suitable attention paid to the acquisition of local materials, art works, materials
on local administration, gramophone records and films;
Library materials shall be properly classified and processed, and the catalog thereof shall be
well prepared;
Efforts shall be made to ensure that library personnel acquire sufficient knowledge of library
matters so as to give counsel to users on their utilization;
Close communication and cooperation shall be maintained by such means as inter-library
loans between libraries, the National Diet Library, libraries attached to the assemblies of local
public bodies, and libraries attached to schools;
Branch libraries, reading centers, and book circulating centers, etc. may be established, and
the service of bookmobiles and rotating lending libraries may be offered;
Reading circles, seminars, appreciation groups, film showings and exhibits of data and
materials, etc. shall be sponsored and encouraged;
Information and reference materials concerning current affairs shall be acquired and offered
to the general public;
Opportunities for educational and other activities utilizing learning outcomes obtained
through learning opportunities in social education shall be provided, and such provision shall
be encouraged.
Close contact and cooperation shall be maintained with schools, museums, community
centers and research institutes, etc.
Science in Society, Society in Science
THE PREMISE
26
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27. OF
FUTURE LIBRARIES
“Liveliness”
or
“Town development”
Science in Society, Society in Science
THE PREMISE
27
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28. OF
FUTURE LIBRARIES
Libraries are
the institutions
to guarantee
the right to know
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Science in Society, Society in Science
THE PREMISE
28
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29. 
OF
FUTURE LIBRARIES
Analogy: Library as a building
The lower floor guarantees the right to know.
 The upper floor provides support to promoting liveliness
and town development.

Liveliness
Town
development
Right to
know
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Science in Society, Society in Science
THE PREMISE
29
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30. 1.
2.
3.
Provide information technology service
including the internet
Collect, organize, provide, and preserve
information and knowledge not limited
to books and magazines
Provide opportunities for networking
among people, centering on information
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FUTURE LIBRARIES – IN RELATION TO
ONNA VILLAGE CULTURE AND INFORMATION CENTER
30
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31. 
Onna Village Culture and Information Center

2 functions
1.
2.

the tourist information service
the library
set to open in the next year (2015)
Science in Society, Society in Science
FUTURE LIBRARIES – IN RELATION TO
ONNA VILLAGE CULTURE AND INFORMATION CENTER
31
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32. Commitment
of the citizens
is essential
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FUTURE LIBRARIES – IN RELATION TO
ONNA VILLAGE CULTURE AND INFORMATION CENTER
32
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33. With your commitment,
Onna Village Culture and Information Center
will become
an asset of the community to be proud of,
in addition to
the beautiful sea
&
the high-level research environment of OIST.
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Science in Society, Society in Science
FUTURE LIBRARIES – IN RELATION TO
ONNA VILLAGE CULTURE AND INFORMATION CENTER
33
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34. Science in Society, Society in Science
LIBRARIES TODAY, AND
THE LIBRARY OF TOMORROW
OIST Seminar
Date: 2014-01-21 (Tue)
Place: OIST
34
Makoto Okamoto @arg
Academic Resource Guide, Inc.
Copyright Academic Resource Guide, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
arg.ne.jp