The 108th All-Japan Library Conference (2022)

【2023-E001】

The 108th All-Japan Library Conference was held in Gunma Prefecture from October 6 and 7, 2022, by the Japan Library Association (JLA) and related organizations. As in 2020 and 2021, all events were held online due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The slogan of this year’s conference was “The Future Library Image Woven by Books and People.”

The conference program included a keynote speech by JLA Chairperson UEMATSU Sadao and three special reports. The reports were on recent amendments to the Japanese copyright law, a dialogue between ABE Chisato and KISARAGI Kazusa—two popular authors from Gunma—as well as presentations and reports given in section meetings.

Next year’s conference will be held in Iwate Prefecture from November 16 and 17, 2023.

Below are summaries of the presentations related to library services for children and young adults from two section meetings.

Section Meeting 3—School Libraries

School Libraries in the Post-Pandemic Society

In a keynote speech, Senshu University professor NOGUCHI Takenori discussed his views on the current direction and the future potential of school libraries in a post-pandemic society. He emphasized the importance of discussing how school libraries, school librarians, and teachers need to adapt to change as students each have their own PC and increasingly rely on ICT at school.

Reports from three different schools were given. An elementary school teacher reported on cooperation by school and public libraries to digitize materials; a high school librarian explained the characteristics of a technical high school and how its easily accessible school library serves as a place for students to get connected; and another school librarian introduced award-winning activities held during the pandemic.

According to a report given by the JLA School Library Division, comic books at school libraries allow students to experience the indispensable pleasure of reading and learning.

Section Meeting 4—Library Services for Children

Bringing the Joy of Reading to Children and Families

In a keynote speech, director of the Kusatsu City Library in Shiga Prefecture as well as JLA Children and Youth Committee member NII Harumi provided an overview of changes in children's reading. She emphasized the importance of enabling children to experience the joy of reading. She also discussed the importance of teaching children to love books, providing them with opportunities to connect with books, and promoting reading in the city.

Three reports were given. They were on the activities of 28-year-old Toki wo tsumugu kai (Time Spinning Society), onsite events with a low risk for infection at the Maebashi Children's Library, and online reading aloud events at the Kiryu City Library.

Ref:

(2023.1.17 update)