Kurashiki Central Library - Introducing the Functions and Roles of a Library Beyond Just Borrowing Books

Connecting Books and People - Introduction to Kurashiki Central Library

The Central Library opened in October 1946 as Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Library.

It was relocated to Kurashiki City Central on November 3, 1983, and has since been known by its current name.

In November 2024, it will celebrate 78 years since its opening and 41 years since its relocation.

We spoke with the librarians who support the roles and functions of the Central Library.

Creating Mechanisms - A Library You Want to Visit

The interview took place on a library organization day (a closed day). Normally, there are people at the counter, but on this day, it was almost empty.

Instead, many staff members could be seen working throughout the library.

It’s my first time entering the library on a closed day.
Do you usually have this many people working on open days?

Librarians

Yes, that's right. Because the library hours are long and it is open on weekends and holidays, we stagger our working hours and come in shifts.

Therefore, on open days, we work with fewer people than today.

Today is a closed day, so there is no need to stagger working hours, and since almost everyone is here, it appears that there are many staff members.

Can you tell me about the work of librarians?

Staff

In addition to lending services, we provide reference services to assist with research and inquiries, and there is a process called "selection," which involves choosing books from newly published or donated books, as well as a process called "de-selection," which involves removing outdated books that no longer fit the current times from the shelves.

Preparing reserved books, transporting materials to other libraries and facilities within the city, and operating the mobile library may be jobs that are not easily visible to users.

What about events and activities?

Staff

We conduct storytime for children every day, and regular events are held monthly by staff and volunteers.

Additionally, seasonal events such as summer festivals, Christmas parties, science play and crafts with guest instructors, and children's songs are also held according to the season.

Staff

Additionally, we have activities like "Read BINGO," which connects reading various genres of books in a fun way using the book "call number," the annual "Book Lucky Bag (for lending)," the "Kurashiki Children's Librarian," which is now in its third year in 2023, and quizzes related to library issues and children's books such as "Library Mystery Solving" and "Children's Book Quiz."

So, it's a children's librarian?

Staff

Yes. I think that during elementary and middle school, children tend to read more books recommended by friends than by their parents.

Therefore, we created the "Kurashiki Children's Librarian" to promote reading activities and convey the joy of reading and how to use the library effectively to children of the same age.

After learning the basic knowledge of libraries and books, such as the role of the library, how to use it, and how to arrange books, they also get to experience actual librarian work, such as lending at the counter.

By participating in children's librarian courses and events organized by the library and collecting stamps, they can rank up from beginner to intermediate to advanced.

Staff

In this fiscal year, we learned about reading picture books, actually conducted "story sessions," and also put book covers on our own books, which are usually covered in the library.

Additionally, we had them write pop-up book introductions, similar to what you often see in bookstores.

We are planning activities that we hope will spark interest in books and libraries.

We introduce events on the Kurashiki City Central Library website and X (formerly Twitter), so please check them out.

In that sense, I feel that the various special corners in the general reading room provide opportunities to encounter books that one usually wouldn't notice. However, creating those corners must be challenging, right?

Staff

Yes, we work very hard on that (laughs).

Today (the interview day), we are also organizing and rearranging the library.

Generally, we do this once a month, but we also create corners based on current events or particularly notable authors' awards or obituaries.

When the era changes, we handle the classical works that inspired it, create corners for historical dramas, and sometimes create them based on "days of the month" or even wordplay.

I have sometimes realized things by looking at the library corners, as I am not very up-to-date with current events.

Staff

We receive feedback from users that it is difficult to search when only the spines of the books are lined up, and they don't know what to borrow.

We also genuinely want users to take a good look at the covers. Especially for picture books, that's important.

From "Searching" to "Encountering"

Finally, as a librarian, can you share your thoughts about books and libraries?

Staff

Librarians may work in different libraries within the city, but regardless of the facility or if the location of the library changes in the future, I believe that the role of the library remains a place that connects books and people.

I hope to continue steadily with what we can do now, without forgetting that.

Students who come for workplace experience or internships often ask me, "What is your motivation?" Moments when we find a book together during reference services or when someone says, "I enjoyed this book," are the moments that make me feel fulfilled and grateful to be doing this job, as I feel that books and people have connected.

I think the special corners in the general reading room and the events and projects in the children's room are thoughtful and provide various benefits just by coming in.

Staff

Yes, I hope it will be that way.

Of course, there are users who stop by just to borrow books they reserved online, but I hope that while they are here, they will also check out the shelves of books in the same genre.

I believe that even if they have no specific purpose, walking between the bookshelves might lead them to notice a book that they didn't find interesting last time but do this time.

That is only possible by coming to the library, so I hope they enjoy those encounters with books.

If we can subtly suggest or support such encounters, that would be the greatest joy of being a librarian.

There are books in the library, and we are here as well.

I hope we can cherish both encounters with books and with people.

Conclusion

Just the other day, I walked between the bookshelves for the first time in a while to borrow a book I had returned.

I found a book that intrigued me more than the one I intended to borrow, and I took that one home instead.

Recently, I have been struggling to find time to read, and I couldn't finish many books, but I finished that one in no time.

It was a moment of "encounter with a book," and listening to the librarians' stories made me reflect on that experience again.

Through talking with the librarians, I learned that the library is a place filled with warm consideration.

I plan to casually stop by while reminiscing about the times I walked between the bookshelves looking for interesting books, or rely on the professionals in book searching to help me find books.

Data of Kurashiki Central Library

Name	Kurashiki Central Library
Location	2-6-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City
Contact	086-425-6030
Parking	None
Opening Hours	Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sunday and Holidays: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Closed Days	Every Monday except the first Monday Last Friday of each month (open in August and December) Special maintenance closure (within 14 days) Year-end and New Year (December 29 to January 4) * The opening hours and closed days of libraries in the city vary by library. For the opening hours and closed days of libraries other than the Central Library, please check the library website.
Smoking	Completely non-smoking
Restrooms	Western-style toilets, Japanese-style toilets, barrier-free toilets
Childcare	Nursing room, diaper changing table
Barrier-Free	Barrier-free toilets, elevator
Website	Kurashiki City Library

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