日本公共図書館の普及に関する史的考察

抄録

The primitive form of public libraries in Japan is so called “Shoseki-Kan” (a book building), which was established in the main cities by their prefectural goverments from 1872 to 1885. But they were only a poor imitation of libraries in Europe. The library movement which was realized was begun by the “Kyoikukai”, teachers’ organization, in the 1890’s. It reached the peak about 1910. Libraries which resemble subscription libraries in Europe, continued to exist at a very few cities for a very short period since 1800. Many private libraries were founded by parasitic landlords, rich aristocrats, temples, shrines and the bourgeoisie. But there were very few libraries which did not need any public subsidization.
Since 1900 the popularization of libraries had been fairly under way, in progressive prefectures the plans of popularizing libraries were put in action. The typical prefectures were Akita, Yamaguchi and Tokyo, and especially the plans of popularizing the libraries of Yamaguchi Prefecture have become to be introduced in various prefectures.
From 1910 to 1930 the established numbers of public libraries amounted to surprisingly high, because both central and prefectural officers strongly advocated the establishment of libraries, but almost all libraries were extremely poor both in equipment and in management and their qualitative improvement has made slow progress. Already about 1925 both librarians and officers expressed serious dissatisfaction against the situation of libraries and insisted to take up a drastic measure to improve the conditions.