TRANSFORMING PUBLIC LIBRARIES from READING PLACE to BUSINESS AGENT
Activity of Japan Business Libraries Association(JBLA), founded in Dec. 2000
Public Library can help revitalizing
local economy?
90S’・・・The complexity of the information environment,
and Deteriorating economic environment in Japan.
→ Want to break through this situation !
Public libraries can be not only for booklovers, but also
- meeting everyday business needs,- entrepreneurs,- S&M sized enterprises !
Voices from ・Public/Special/Academic Librarians,
・Civil Society,・Researchers in Management / Library andInformation Science,・Government Officials in MEXT(Ministry of Education,Culture, Sports, Science and Technology）,
METI（Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry）,・Journalists

Individual members: 201
Organization members: 15
Support members: 15

Promoting business services to nationwide

Accomplishments of JBLA

1）Embodying National Policies

1) Increased the number of libraries that provide
business supporta) ECONOMIC REFORM POLICTY , 2003
Calls developing social environment for business support libraries→Providing great impact on the outside of Libraries’ Communityb) POLICY FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES, 2006
Needs to expand the library function to “problem-solving”
Redefine the library role to be an “information hub”c) WHITE PAPER on Small and Medium Enterprises in Japan, 2006
Introduces public libraries as a useful information resource for SMEs

→ Libraries face a increasing expectation from not only book lovers, but
wider range of citizens

2）Nurturing business librariansa)a) Hold seminars to be a business librarian(3-days course, 364 participants in 13 years)b) Provide virtual and real forum for networking among membersc) Disseminate mailshot where members can exchange information, thoughts, and inquiriesd) Introduce cases of successful service as a model, “You can do it, too!”b)e) Price negotiation of library materials: databases, reference booksf) Have two working groups: Collection Building Group & Global Group2) Changed the library image: raise awareness as
information resource3) Facilitating various activities among members－ Useful for adults, too!
－ Visit for not only reading, but various other purposes－ Appreciated by lawmakers and public officials

Buz librarians graduated from JBLA seminars became trainers for the next3) Contributed to revitalize regional economy

Formed a unique group, which became a base for JBLA

JBLA Mission: Non-profit and independent

JBLA Membership

See the next Poster
OUTREACH TO FARMERS TO SUPPORT LOCALAGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY

PLUS

organization, founded in Dec. 2000
JBLA’s mission is to promote libraries’ commitment in local
economy by providing business information services tocitizens, NPO’s, and small businesses in the community.
We aim to support the development of regional economy Library as reading placethrough our activity.

a) Fashion
Show at thelibrary: promotelocal industry
and youngdesignersb) Exhibition of
local woodworksc) Tie up with alocal soccer
team: soccer
player read abook for kidsd) MagazineSponsor System4) Developed human network－ among librarians－ between librarians and other professionals in otherorganizations－ connect other departments in the local government－ among local citizens

Japan Business Library Association (JBLA) / Illustration: Natsumi Miura / Presentation: Mika Koshizuka (Gakushuin Women’s College)