Development of College Library Service under the Science Information System in Japan

Abstract

The aim of this study is to use library statistics to examine how Japanese college library service developed under the Science Information System in Japan. We examined "College and University Library Statistics" from 1980 to 2002. At first, we selected eleven data elements as indicators which ought to show performance of the university library services from the statistical table. And we labeled them from the point of view of function as either resources or services, and also from the point of view of object as either to serve or to search. The results showed a pattern of five stages. The system and network was implemented during Stage I (1980-1983), and developed further in Stage II (1984-1988). The Science Information System was completed and found to be effective during Stage III (1989-1993). College libraries began electronic resource services in Stage IV (1994-1998) and expanded them in Stage V (1999-).