The NDL Training Programs for Librarians Abroad
Sakae EDAMATSU 1)
Director, Institute of Library and Information Science, National Diet Library (NDL)1) Director, Institute of Library and Information Science, National Diet Library, 1-10-1 Nagata-cho Chiyoda-ku Tokyo-to 100-8924, Tel: 03-3581-2331 Fax: 03-3597-9104: E-mail: edamatsu@ndl.go.jp; http:// www.ndl.go.jp The paper was delivered at the Karuizawa Inose Lodge on Wednesday October 20th, 1999.
1 Introduction
2 Personnel exchange with and intake of trainees from foreign libraries
2.1 Intake of trainees
2.2 Principle training programs for librarians abroad:evaluation and issues
2.2.1 Personnel exchange programs
2.2.2 Processing Japanese materials and library automation
2.2.3 Training program for librarians specializing in Japanese studies
2.2.4 Training programs on preservation
2.2.5 Training programs on services for the Diet
3 Training programs of the International Library of Children's Literature
4 Training programs in the Kansai-kan
4.1 By theme
4.2 By target
4.3 OthersIn the recent Workshop I, the NDL summarized its international cooperation activities as the sole Japanese national library, namely, (a) global cooperation with library organizations, (b) delivery of Japanese information such as international exchange of materials and ILL, and (c) international cooperation which is being planned for the NDL Kanasai-kan (tentative name) after its opening of 2002.
Today I would like to describe the present training programs for librarians abroad and personnel exchange, which have been carried out as part of the NDL's international cooperation. Then I will refer to our future training plans for the Kansai-kan and the International Library of Children's Literature, which will be partially open next year.
2 Personnel exchange with and intake of trainees from foreign libraries
2.1 Intake of trainees
The NDL receives trainees on request, on the basis of the 1987 resolution on the intake of researchers and trainees. The period is within six months for researchers and three months for trainees.The themes of the training are roughly divided into the following three:
a. Library activities of the NDL in general, processing of Japanese materials and library automation (eg. processing of JAPAN/MARC), collections of the NDL and so on
b. Preservation and conservation
c. Services for the Diet (Japanese parliament)/ research and legislative activitiesTraining programs on library and information science are planned and carried out mainly by the Institute of Library and Information Science of the NDL. Other programs such as preservation and services for the Diet are conducted by the relevant sections of the Library.
Trainees come from the world over, though most of them are from the Asian region. Please see the attached sheet List of trainees from abroad and programs since 1989.
Training is usually in a lecture style by relevant NDL staff according to the requests of trainees. Practical training or exercises are emphasized especially for preservation. Trainees also sometimes visit other pertinent organizations. The period of training is on average one to two weeks.
2.2 Principle training programs for librarians abroad: evaluation and issues
The following are summaries of the major training and personnel exchange programs of the NDL. I will also give them quick evaluation and mention some issues to be solved.2.2.1 Personnel exchange programs
(1) In 1983 the fellowship program of the Japan Foundation made our personnel exchange plan with the British Library be a reality and the NDL received one of the staff of the Department of Oriental Manuscripts and Printed Books. Under the program each sent one of its staff to the other library for a period of three to four months and deepened the knowledge of each other's work and mutual understanding, which was intended to lead to cooperative activities. The program was carried out again twice, in 1988 and 1992.
(2) In 1986 the NDL exchanged personnel with the National Library of China, though there was no further exchange after that. The two libraries have had an annual mutual visit program since 1981 and interchange opinions on common interests. Since last year the two libraries have started to study the possibility of again exchanging personnel for a certain period for training.
Personnel exchange is suitable for long-term training and often fruitful for both participants. However, (a) the language barrier (Japanese is required for training in Japan), (b) expense sharing, (c) themes etc. are some of deterrence and it is not easy to implement the program.
2.2.2 Processing Japanese materials and library automation
In 1993 the NDL sent a questionnaire to 23 national libraries located in the Asia and Pacific regions to learn their interest in its training programs and to make the above-mentioned trainee intake system more precise and regular. It received 17 favorable replies. Accordingly, in March 1994 the NDL took trainees from China, Korea and Australia for ten days, one from each country, under the theme of Processing Japanese materials and library automation, focussing on the JAPAN/MARC production (the 1st Short Term Training for Librarians from Abroad). The working language was Japanese. The trainees' evaluation was high and they described the program as useful and productive. We believe programs for multi-national trainees should have flexibility because of the difference of the situations or needs of each trainee.The 2nd program was carried out in November of the same year and the NDL received two trainees from Mongolia. Then the program was replaced by the training program for librarians specializing in Japanese studies.
2.2.3 Training program for librarians specializing in Japanese studies
The program is part of the programs for extending invitations to Japan of Japan Foundation. In February 1997 the 1st Japanese studies senior librarian training program was held as a cooperative undertaking of the Japan Foundation, the International House, the National Center for Science Information Systems and the NDL. Eleven Japan study librarians were invited from abroad for a period of some three weeks from February to March. The objectives were to update their knowledge of information on Japan, letting them acquire the related current skills and creating human networks, which were successfully implemented.From January to February 1998 the 2nd program was held inviting twelve Japanese studies librarians, and from the 3rd, in the next year, the title has slightly changed to Japanese studies librarian training program. Japan Foundation has already finished the call for applicants for this fiscal year and we will hold the 4th program in January - February 2000.
The NDL thinks that securing access to Japanese information from abroad is as one of its principal duties, and believes the training programs for those in charge of Japan-related resources and Japanese information in foreign libraries and other organizations will form the core of its future programs in the Kansai-kan for librarians abroad.
2.2.4 Training programs on preservation
The NDL has been acting as the IFLA PAC (Preservation and Conservation) Regional Centre for Asia, and as part of its activities it has been receiving trainees. The questionnaire on training programs showed very strong interest in preservation.The programs are meant to enhance the basic knowledge of preservation and repair skills, and we receive trainees on demand, mainly from the Asian region and provide lectures as well as practical experience. The Japanese repairing technique using Washi (traditional Japanese paper) has a world-wide reputation, so the demands for training are quite high. We are often asked to consider a regular program.
In this field the NDL not only accepts trainees but also sometimes sends out its own specialists on request to support human resource developments abroad. The NDL also gives training on preservation to the staff of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) on request of the Japan International Cooperation Agency(JAICA) before they are dispatched abroad.
2.2.5 Training programs on services for the Diet
The NDL Research and Legislative Reference Bureau often receives trainees and researchers independently on the matters related to its research activities.3 Training programs of the International Library of Children's Literature
The old Ueno Branch Library of the NDL will be reborn on May 5, 2000 as the International Library of Children's Literature, although it will not be in full swing till 2002 as remodeling work continues.
The International Library of Children's Literature will be a national center, and, to enhance the children's reading environment and information delivery, it will collect and preserve juvenile literature and relevant materials as well as assist a wide range of research and studies on the culture surrounding publishing for children. It will also offer various services directly to children.
Cooperation with the pertinent organizations and implementation of international roles are part of the basic functions of the International Library of Children's Literature, and we are now preparing its international exchange and training programs.
This March the NDL International Library of Children's Literature Planning Office held an invitation program for Asian people on children's libraries jointly with the Japan Foundation. Ten specialists in juvenile literature and children's library service from nine Asian countries came to Japan, visited various organizations and attended a workshop. This program will be carried out again in November, inviting seven specialists from Central and South America.
4 Training programs in the Kansai-kan
The ground-breaking ceremony of the Kansai-kan was held last autumn in the central district of the Kansai Science City. It will be completed in 2002 and will then have five basic functions: (a) mammoth storage for library materials, (b) documentary information supply, (c) provision of documentary information on Asia, (d) library cooperation and (e) research and development /training and consulting on library and information. It will work in tandem with the Tokyo main library and strengthen the NDL's operations as a whole.
Research and development/training and consulting units will be located in the Kansai-kan as the new headquarters of library cooperation, where R&D and training in library information science, library work, electronic library, preservation etc. will be carried out for various kinds of domestic and international librarians.
Besides the present "on request "program, the NDL will plan and run its own variety of training programs for librarians on the frontline, and will also provide a forum where librarians can create rapport whatever libraries they belong to. To bring these plans to fruition, since last year the NDL Institute of Library and Information Science has been intensively studying the matter with people concerned from outside the Library. For the time being we have tentatively worked out the training programs for the library community after the opening of the Kansai-kan as follows:
4.1 By theme
To meet the needs of the whole library community, the following three areas have been selected because the NDL has the background resources and know-how, and the R&D results will be used effectively. Middle-grade librarians from various kinds of libraries are the main targets. The working language will be Japanese, although librarians from abroad are also targeted.
- Electronic Library: basic skills, content making, copyright clearance, etc.
- Library service: preservation, bibliographic control, standardization, reference service, etc.
- Subject information: Statutes and parliamentary information, government information, etc. Not only on the materials /information held by the NDL. Access to and dealing with broader information, including electronic information.
- Advanced seminars: presentation and discussion on specific themes (eg. metadata). Specialists in fields other than library information science are invited also.
- Internship for library science students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) and others: Accepted as trainees for a certain period of time. Instruction and advice are given for research based on the materials and activities of the NDL.
- Programs for abroad: training program for librarians specializing in Japanese studies and preservation training are part of the existing examples.
4.3 Others
Programs for support and provision of infrastructure for other libraries to plan or operate training programs
- Clearing of information on training (lecturers, training methods, etc.)
- Planning of compilation of texts
- Training for planners and trainers
- Development of training equipment and machinery, etc.
We think that not all of the above-mentioned programs can be launched when the Kansai-kan opens. Some of them will be more likely to be introduced step by step. So we have to decide which programs are to be prioritized as well as to estimate their general feasibility. There are also many important issues to be settled, personnel, building, budgetary and so on, before the training programs come true. The NDL will work harder to overcome the difficulties. Without cooperation from relevant organizations, the programs I have mentioned will never happen. We really hope for future cooperation and support from you and all our colleagues in this field.
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