Today is graduation day. The Ito Campus was bustling with many students. Congratulations to you all.

I have been very fortunate to receive invitations to give lectures and work on projects related to university libraries. When I gave a lecture at a seminar for the Miyazaki Prefecture University Library Association, many staff members from public libraries attended. I realized that there are people in public libraries who are also interested in education and learning, and who are exploring new roles for public libraries.

And now, I have been invited by Makoto Okamoto of Academic Resource Guide, Inc. to speak about active learning at the Library Fair in Onna Village. Thank you very much, Mr. Okamoto.

While university libraries are exploring various approaches to education and learning support, I hope to introduce some of these examples and propose content and ideas that may be useful for public libraries as well. Public libraries are also important places for learning as sites of informal learning. They are spaces with the potential to develop various forms of learning. However, I have seen students scolded by staff for studying in public libraries, and I myself have had a negative experience where I was scolded by a staff member for using a computer in an unused, partitioned room because it was “too noisy.” While space and planning are important, the mindset of the people inside must also change significantly. However, I have been hearing various news about public libraries that are changing recently, so I have high expectations for future developments.

The program has also been released. If you are interested, please join us. I am looking forward to it.

Library Fair Forum in Onna Village
http://www.libraryfair.jp/node/2477

Academic Resource Guide, Inc.
http://www.arg.ne.jp/