In addition to offering the pleasure of reading books, libraries could play such new roles as showing empathy toward the problems each community faces and working with residents to solve those issues.

An increasing number of libraries are assuming roles that could break the bounds of their long-held image, presenting distinctive features of their own.

According to a survey by the Japan Library Association, about 500 local governments nationwide are making efforts to promote regional development by using their local libraries as a foothold for that endeavor.

The Shiwa town government in Iwate prefecture is working to support local farming households by improving its library’s collection of agriculture-related specialized books and the quality of its database services. At a store annexed to the library, the town government has set up a panel to introduce cookbooks, while also holding exchange meetings between local residents and farming families.

The Yamato city government’s new library in Kanagawa prefecture has been popular, mainly due to one of its floors being exclusively dedicated to health-related books and appliances. More than 1.4 million people have visited the library since it opened last autumn.

Efforts to bring various people together can enable them to get to know each other in unexpected ways. From the standpoint of promoting local rejuvenation, this kind of function fulfilled by libraries must be treated as important.

To preserve our nation’s cultural climate for reading printed matter, it is essential to seek action from the younger generation.

More than a few local governments are working to improve their collection of children’s books so parents and children can enjoy relaxing and reading. At some libraries, teenagers can read books while having a conversation with their friends. Other libraries have set aside floors for people to drop by for short visits.

We would like to see an increase in the number of libraries where people can feel at home so more children will learn to love books.

The problem is there is a shortage of personnel and budgetary resources needed to operate libraries. At some libraries even day-to-day operations cannot be conducted the way they should be unless temporary staff are assigned.

There have been a succession of cases in which local governments commission private-sector corporations and other organizations to run their libraries, with an eye toward improving operational efficiency.

Utilizing flexible ways of thinking and expertise unique to the private sector is a viable idea. There have been several cases in which a dramatic increase has been seen in the number of visitors to libraries and the number of books loaned out there.

The presence of highly motivated librarians and the support of administrative organs are indispensable for giving innovative ideas specific shape.

In terms of hiring librarians who have extensive knowledge, the current qualification system is described by some people as unsatisfactory.

What kind of measures can be taken to discover and foster talented personnel? The government should seriously consider this. At the same time, local governments should be ready to take the time to nurture librarians.

Libraries are community-based public centers for local activities. Given this, it is important to address pertinent matters from a medium- and long-term perspective. Cooperation between librarians and local government sections in charge of health and welfare as well as child-rearing support is needed in this respect.

It may be possible to expect even more substantive measures to be devised through their cooperative efforts to exercise wisdom.