Libraries and Librarianship in Japan - (Guides to Asian Librarianship) by Theodore F Welch (Hardcover)

About the Book

In the many books and articles written on the subject of librarianship in Japan, some perennial themes appear, such as, What is librarianship? and What should libraries be today? These questions reveal the incessant quest of Japanese librarians to define their profession. This reference book provides a comprehensive overview of libraries and librarianship in Japan. The volume traces the developments of traditional and modern libraries and describes what they have become in modern times.

In the many books and articles written on the subject of librarianship in Japan, some perennial themes appear, such as, What is librarianship? and What should libraries be today? More than ever before, Japan is aware of its potential for shaping the global library and information scene. The Japanese are responding to the current flood of information with new media technologies and improved database services with a synergistic approach that involves library professionals, information specialists, governmental leaders, corporate and industry planners, and information consumers.

This reference work traces the development of traditional and modern libraries and librarianship in Japan and describes what they have become in modern times. The book begins with a retrospective glance at the cultural and literary circumstances surrounding the development of language, writing, paper, books, and other activities which fostered early library activity. The chapters that follow provide detailed information on the evolution of particular types of libraries. Attention is also given to special topics, such as computers in libraries, the education of librarians, and professional organizations. An extensive bibliography of English and Japanese sources concludes the work.

Book Synopsis

In the many books and articles written on the subject of librarianship in Japan, some perennial themes appear, such as, What is librarianship? and What should libraries be today? These questions reveal the incessant quest of Japanese librarians to define their profession. This reference book provides a comprehensive overview of libraries and librarianship in Japan. The volume traces the developments of traditional and modern libraries and describes what they have become in modern times.

In the many books and articles written on the subject of librarianship in Japan, some perennial themes appear, such as, What is librarianship? and What should libraries be today? More than ever before, Japan is aware of its potential for shaping the global library and information scene. The Japanese are responding to the current flood of information with new media technologies and improved database services with a synergistic approach that involves library professionals, information specialists, governmental leaders, corporate and industry planners, and information consumers.

This reference work traces the development of traditional and modern libraries and librarianship in Japan and describes what they have become in modern times. The book begins with a retrospective glance at the cultural and literary circumstances surrounding the development of language, writing, paper, books, and other activities which fostered early library activity. The chapters that follow provide detailed information on the evolution of particular types of libraries. Attention is also given to special topics, such as computers in libraries, the education of librarians, and professional organizations. An extensive bibliography of English and Japanese sources concludes the work.

Review Quotes

"This is one of the finest books on Japanese libraries and librarianship ever written by an American librarian. Welch lived in Japan for 14 years and has visited Japan many times since to gather data and interview librarians. In ten chapters, he traces the development of the country's library system, covering academic, public, national, special, and school libraries. . . . With an extensive bibliography of English and Japanese sources, this excellent addition to the literature is highly recommended for all library school collections and scholars of international librarianship." --Library Journal

"The book will be a good companion not only to researchers on comparative librarianship, library school faculty and students, but also to librarians, especially who handle Japanese and Asian collections." --Journal of Information, Communication and Library Science

"The author's personal experience in Japan enabled him to provide an insightful picture of the library system in this country. This work is one of the few monographs in English on this topic and belongs in any library science collection. It represents an enormous resource for international researchers and scholars who plan study trips to Japan." --Libraries and Culture

About the Author

Theodore F. Welch is professor of Japanese and Head of the Japan Research Office at Northern Illinois University. He holds a MLS from the University of California and a PhD in Library and Information Science from the University of Tokyo. He lived in Japan for 14 years and has travelled to and within Japan frequently since 1954. He is the author of numerous articles and three books.