The development and present state of library services to children in Japan
| Date | 01 February 2003 |
| Published date | 01 February 2003 |
| Pages | 79-85 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120310454548 |
| Author | Kenji Kanna |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
The development and
present state of library
services to children in
Japan
Kenji Kanna
Introduction
This paper describes the development and
present state of library services to children in
post-war Japan. It will consider the Bunko
(home library) and children's libraries, both
private and public, together with a description
of the modern public library movement after
the Second World War. So this paper reports
the Japanese situation concerning library
services for children and children's libraries.
The word ``library'' is used here in a broad
sense.
General background to the post-war
library movement
The war came to an end in August 1945
under Japan's acceptance of the Potsdam
Declaration with unconditional surrender.
The following year, the US Educational
Mission paid a visit to Japan and made a
number of important recommendations. One
of the recommendations concerned public
libraries. This encouraged librarians who
were longing for the establishment of a
Library Law suited to the construction of the
new cultural state in Japan. Library leaders,
the Ministry of Education and the Civil
Information and Education Section of the US
occupation forces took part in framing the
law. As a result, the Library Law was enacted
in April 1950 and provided a basic concept of
the public library, as well as guidelines for its
management.
The US Educational Mission and the Civil
Information and Education Section also took
up the issue of school libraries. This led the
Ministry of Education to recognise the
importance of the role of school libraries in
pursuing the revitalisation and
democratisation of Japanese education. To
assist in this process, the Ministry of
Education published the School Library Guide
in 1948. In 1950, the Japan School Library
Association was organised as a body
representing local school library associations.
In the same year the School Library Division
was established within the Japan Library
Association which had been founded in 1892
and whose official bulletin, Toshokan Zasshi
(the Library Journal), first appeared in 1907.
As a result the School Library Law was
enacted in 1953. These moves gave those who
had a great concern about education the
The author
Kenji Kanna Is Professor of Library and Information
Science, Faculty of Letters, Baika Women's College,
Osaka, Japan. E-mail: kanna@baika.ac.jp
Keywords
Children, Libraries, Japan, Library management
Abstract
Provides a general description of the movement for library
services for children and children's libraries, together with
the modern public library movement in post-war Japan.
The
Bunko
as a home library, or a community-based small
library, is quite characteristic of Japan. The
Bunko
movement played an important role in improving the
reading environment of children and the library service for
children. The
Chusho-report
(1963) and
Shimin-no-
Toshokan
(1970) changed the concept of the public library
in Japan. They contributed to an increase in reading
facilities for children and the establishment of new public
libraries. Children's libraries at the national, public and
private level are also described.
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79
Library Management
Volume 24 .Number 1/2 .2003 .pp. 79-85
#MCB UP Limited .ISSN 0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120310454548
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