The Japan Foundation Training Program for
Japanese Studies LibrariansYutaka HOMMA 1)
The Japan Foundation1) Director, Receiving Division, Exchange of Persons Department, The Japan Foundation, 21F Ark-Mori-Building, 2-12-32, Akasaka, Minato-ku, 107-6021, Fax: 03-5562-3497, E-mail: Yutaka_Homma @jpf.go.jp; http://www.jpf.go.jp The paper was delivered at the Karuizawa Inose Lodge on Wednesday October 20th, 1999.
0 Background Information
1 Purpose
2 Execution Nucleus
3 Period of Execution
4 Participants and Qualifications for Participation
5 Contents of the Training
6 ResultsThe Japan Foundation initiated the Program for Japanese Language Training for Librarians (6 months) in 1990 as part of its overseas Program for Japanese Studies Librarians, placing greater importance in the carrying out of the program on providing Japanese language training for librarians rather than on their specific library operation work.
As a result, concerned people pointed out the necessity for providing chances for training to librarians who handle Japanese studies publications rather than placing importance upon Japanese language training centered around veteran overseas librarians. In response, this training program was initiated in 1996 as part of the invitation to Japan programs (for groups of leaders and specialists) of the Japan Foundation. Fortunately, the cooperation of the National Center for Science Information Systems and the National Diet Library was obtained, and this year marks the 4th annual carrying out of the program.
Also, there are examples of trainees in the above-mentioned Japanese Language Training for Librarians Program who have participated in this program after completing two or three years of Japanese language training.
(1) Specialized librarians who handle collections of Japan-related publications as employees of libraries of such overseas research organizations as universities are extended invitations to Japan and given training for the purpose of repleting the foundation for providing information on Japan overseas.
This program has the positive side effect of contributing to the repleting of an organization for making it possible to obtain information on Japan overseas with the same ease that it is obtained in Japan from the standpoint of those who send out information on Japan.(2) Concrete Aims:
1) Enhancement of knowledge relating to the materials: The attempt is made to renovate and deepen the knowledge of the trainees concerning the various media Japan-related materials and information sent out from Japan.
2) Enhancement of Information Technology: The attempt is made to enhance the knowledge and technology of the trainees in terms of the information technology necessary for handling Japanese-language materials and, particularly, the development of new information technology and electronic networks in Japan.
3) Providing Mutual Experience and Building a Human Network: The attempt is made to create a human network to rectify the maldistribution of individual experiences and make them common to all related organizations both in Japan and overseas (for example, the creation of a network for Japan-related libraries within the same region of the same country), and to thus establish a foundation for an overall cooperative system.
Sponsors: The Japan Foundation and the National Diet Library of Japan (co-sponsors)
Cooperation: The National Center for Science Information Systems and the International House of JapanA 21-day stay in Japan (The next program is slated for execution from January 16 to February 5, 2000), carried out since 1996 (this year marking the 4th consecutive year).
4 Participants and Qualifications for Participation
1) Number of Participants: 10 people each year from various countries
2) Qualifications
a. Librarians specializing in Japan-related information who are employed at national or public libraries that own collections of Japan-related publications and libraries of universities and other research organizations that play a central role in their nation or region. Japanese nationals are also qualified (however, they must have permanent residency status in the country where they are employed).
b. Sufficient Japanese-language proficiency for reading, hearing, and speaking (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test 1st Level or above).
c. Librarians who have more than 2 years of experience and are expected to continue to work for the same library for more than ten years into the future. Also, they must possess either citizenship or permanent residency status in the country where they are employed.
d. Librarians who have the desire and will to utilize the results of their training in the taking of an active role in the creation of a network among the Japanese studies libraries in their own country and neighboring countries.3) Method of Solicitation for Participants
This program has a limited solicitation system that depends entirely on recommendations of participants who meet the qualifications stipulated in the above article 2) from the overseas offices of the Japan Foundation and overseas Japanese diplomatic organs.
In the case of nations that have networks of Japanese scholars and/or Japanese studies libraries, requests can be made by such a network through overseas Japanese diplomatic organs.
As a general rule, only one participant is accepted from one country, and participants from organizations that participated the previous year are not accepted.(During the 21-day visit to Japan, 14 days are dedicated to training (17 days when options are included).)
1) Training at the National Diet Library (7 to 8 days)
2) Training at the National Center for Science Information Systems (2 days)
3) Training in the Kansai Area (an option) (3 days)
4) Observation tours of related organizations (1 or 2 days)
(Accommodations provided at the International House of Japan)1) Subsequent to the first year of the carrying out of this program, a network of Japan-related libraries was formulated and a cooperative domestic relationship was established in Australia.
2) Exchange has been initiated in a broad variety of Japanese studies fields between Japan-related organizations overseas.
3) Mutual contact has been made by Japanese studies librarians who were classmates in the program from European countries where Japanese studies are not very active (such as Sweden, Denmark, Holland, and Switzerland) and they have obtained information from countries where Japanese studies are comparatively active (the U.K., Germany, and France). While this is still carried out on the individual level, it was this program that provided the impetus for these present positive information exchange activities. Even EAJRS (European Association of Japanese Resources Specialists)members have made pleas for the necessity of a human network. This can be said to demonstrate in concrete terms the isolated state in which the librarians work.
4) The various participants have gained a consciousness of the necessity for information technology.
a. They have begun to utilize e-mail after returning to their home countries.
b. They have recognized the importance of the Internet.
c. They have recognized the importance of electronic cataloguing.TOP
■