The Coming of Age of Japanese Library Services to the International Community: The View from North America

抄録

In the past decade we have seen monumental improvements in Japanese library services to the international community in general, and to North American Japanese Studies scholars in particular. These changes are due largely to a combination of technological advancements, cooperative counterparts in Japan, and effective advocacy by North American Japanese Studies librarians and researchers. The biggest beneficiaries, however, will be researchers at small and medium colleges who do not have ready access to Japanese Studies librarians or large research collections once they are fully aware of the new possibilities. This paper reviews some of the decisive moments that helped to shape the tone and direction of our advocacy, and considers the next steps that will ensure that the new services are available to those who need them in North America.