We received a copy of “Learning Commons: New Forms of University Libraries” from Director Kato of the Nagoya University Library Division. Thank you very much.

This book is a set consisting of a report compiled through KAKENHI research and translated papers related to overseas learning commons. It contains papers and editorials that question the past and future of learning commons. I believe it is an excellent book, especially for grasping the current status and the issues being raised regarding learning commons in the United States.

While it is quite difficult to apply the forms of American learning commons directly to those in Japan, I believe that learning commons are something that strongly reflect the culture of a university. Even within Japan, it is not necessarily the case that the learning support and space design implemented at other universities will suit one’s own. However, I think this book serves as a great source of hints for thinking about what can be done after knowing many examples and understanding the current situation of one’s own institution.

In the final chapter, Professor Koyama of Nihon University provides a report on the results of a survey of learning commons within Japan. To my embarrassment, information about our university’s learning commons is also included. Thank you. Also, in the afterword, there is “Beyond the Learning Commons” by Professor Hiroya Takeuchi, and the sentence, “…how it relates to today’s university education, or the mission of the university. It is difficult to find the answer to this from the current learning commons in Japan,” is quite striking. Although it is a painful point to hear, it may be the case for most learning commons and libraries in Japan. As I learned during my field research visits to university libraries in Hong Kong and Singapore, the staff at those libraries clearly state their contribution to university education and are able to explain their involvement in learning and what kind of services they provide to faculty and students. There were also library staff members working as subject experts.

Currently, in Japan, educational reform is being called for in various areas, including liberal arts education. I believe many universities are already moving toward implementation, and university libraries must also be conscious of and clearly state what role they will play in university educational reform.

Thank you for providing such a helpful book.