I will be giving a lecture at the “Library Function Enhancement Program” symposium titled “The Future of Learning Support in University Libraries,” which will be held on Wednesday, March 27, at the Book Lounge of the Kanazawa University Medical Library.

This symposium will serve as the opening event for the Medical Library, which will open to the public tomorrow, the 15th. Ever since I was in Kanazawa, Director Shibata had been telling me, “We are going to build a learning commons in the Medical Library, too!” and it has finally become a reality! The new Medical Library is said to be equipped with a multi-functional learning space where students can engage in self-study and learn while communicating freely. I am looking forward to it!!

It has only been about two months since I moved from Kanazawa to Kyushu University, so I did not expect to be back in Kanazawa so soon (laughs). However, I am very grateful to be invited like this. It seems I will be able to reunite with the professors from Osaka Kyoiku University as well, since I heard Professor Horii is coming.

Although I am a bit embarrassed to be giving a keynote speech, I would like to talk about what we have been doing in Kanazawa, examples from overseas, and the findings from my recent research visit to two university libraries in Finland, extracting points that can be applied to learning support.

Also, we will hear from Section Chief Okabe of Nagoya University. We might be able to hear about the Information Librarian project currently underway in Kanazawa, Nagoya, and Shizuoka. We are currently developing e-learning content for librarians, and we plan to release it and establish an environment for learning by next fiscal year (though this is yet to be decided).

Although it is the end of the fiscal year, if you have time and are interested, please join us. I look forward to having a productive discussion. I am looking forward to it.

1. Date and Time: Wednesday, March 27, 2013, 13:30–17:00
2. Venue: Kanazawa University Medical Library Book Lounge
3. Lecture: Masanori Yamada, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts and Science, Kyushu University
: Mr. Kosuke Okabe      Manager, Information Services Division, Nagoya University Library
: Mr. Katsutoshi Murata, Manager, Information Services Division, Kanazawa University Library
4. Event Details
13:00–13:30 Registration
13:30–13:35 Opening Remarks by University Librarian Shibata
13:35–14:25   Associate Professor Masanori Yamada Keynote Speech (including Q&A)
14:25–15:05 Lecture by Division Director Okabe (including Q&A)
15:05–15:45 Lecture by Division Director Murata (including Q&A)
15:45-15:55 Break
15:55–16:55 Panel Discussion (Moderator: Prof. Kubota)

Panelists: 3 speakers + Prof. Horii + Director Shibata

16:55–17:00 Closing Remarks by Mr. Horii, Group Leader of ICT System Utilization, Promotion, and Development
(Moderator: Mr. Takeya, Director of Information Planning Division)

5. Theme: “The Future of Learning Support in University Libraries”
6. Purpose of the Event
Inter-University Collaborative Education Promotion Project “Academic City Ishikawa: Problem-Solving Glocal Human Resource Development”
In “Construction of the System,” all higher education institutions, all local governments, and major economic organizations in Ishikawa Prefecture are participating
Using the framework of the University Consortium Ishikawa, to which we belong, while maintaining a global perspective,
Cultivating human resources capable of proactively addressing and resolving regional issues (problem-solving glocal human resources)
We aim to build sustainable systems.
One of the pillars of this continuous system development is “supporting university education, higher education institutions
building a student and faculty support system for inter-university collaboration.” And, the student and
As one of the support systems for faculty and staff, it serves as a place for self-directed learning and a hub for learning support
strengthen important university libraries and develop a comprehensive learning support system by linking each library
is included (University Library Enhancement Collaboration Program).
This symposium is positioned as the “startup symposium” for this initiative, and
First, focusing on case studies from leading universities, this project aims to provide information to university library staff and related personnel within the prefecture.
to make them aware of the project, and through the exchange of opinions with them, reflect their needs in this project
and reflect them in our activities to improve the quality of this initiative and ensure its smooth implementation. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology also states that the direct involvement of university library staff in educational activities is “the development of university libraries
as requested in the “Regarding… (Summary of Deliberations) (Dec. 2010),” and for future
We would like to hold this symposium to carry out our research objectives.