Changes in University and Public Libraries in Japan

Describes the factors and institutions influencing university and public libraries in Japan, the organizational structure and basic characteristics of both types of libraries. The role and activities of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the National Institute of Informatics (NII), the National Diet Library, and the Japan Library Association are outlined. University libraries face problems related to budget cuts, journal price increases, insufficient shelf capacity, collection development, interlibrary lending and staff expertise. Public libraries face problems related to the merger of local governments, the Shitei Kanrisha System (outsourcing of local government management), budget cuts and poor staff qualifications. Public libraries are introducing business information and consumer health information services as well as IC tag systems.