EDITORIAL: National Year of Reading

No doubt, many people are spending this long weekend engrossed in a book.

The winter season is an especially good time to curl up with a page-turner. Some people would have obtained the latest best-seller, while others probably got their hands on a mystery novel they discovered on the year-end best mysteries list. Others, still, are likely delving into the classics.

2010 is designated as the National Year of Reading. By its very nature, reading is a solitary endeavor. Even so, it is up to society as a whole to create the sort of environment in which the young and the old can enjoy the written word, whether it is for pleasure, inspiration or to acquire knowledge. We hope the year of reading will be the catalyst for this.

Improving the state of the nation's libraries is crucial to enhance people's access to books.

There are more than 3,100 libraries across the nation. Most are run by prefectural or municipal governments. The number has increased 20 percent over the past decade.

However, Japan Library Association statistics show a disturbing trend, which is borne out by library staff and the content of library bookshelves themselves.

Despite the increase in the number of libraries, the combined budget for book purchases and other materials is on the decline. On average, the allocated budget for each library is under 10 million yen ($108,000), which is less than three-quarters of the figure a decade ago. As for expert staff, including librarians, the number of full-timers has fallen by more than 1,000 from above 7,600 in 2000.

The number of libraries itself is low by international standards. Library facilities per-capita are the lowest among the Group of Seven developed countries.

The figure for Japan is less than half the average among G-7 countries, according to one survey.

With local governments operating on tight budgets, it must be difficult for many municipalities to significantly raise their allocations for libraries anytime soon. Be that as it may, surely there are ways to tap the skills and ideas of local communities to improve the situation.

One way would be to set up a network of libraries in neighboring municipalities, thereby allowing a division of roles so that each facility can specialize in certain types of books. By sharing their stock, those libraries would be able to better meet the specific user needs. Larger facilities like prefectural libraries should play a more active role in supporting smaller libraries in the same prefecture.

First and foremost, libraries should be a place for children to develop an interest in the written word and learn that reading can be fun. In this respect, book readings for children should be encouraged. Libraries also exist to advise children on how to find out things they want to know and help them to acquire skills to make full use of materials. Local libraries ought to collaborate with school libraries to nurture a strong bond between children and books.

To create such a framework, library administrations must think flexibly and hire expert staff. Once such a system is up and running, it will help create an efficient and invaluable social infrastructure.

A library is a source of knowledge, with multiple functions. It systematically stores a wealth of knowledge old and new, and relays it to future generations. A library nurtures the spirit and trains the intellect. Libraries also amass precise information to help residents in their daily lives and jobs.

If local administrators, library staff and residents all cooperate and help their libraries grow into wonderful establishments, then each one will become a core facility in their community.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 11