Acceptance of Library Manners in Modern Japanese Times : An Approach from Courtesy Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to consider the acceptance of library manners in modern Japanese times. We analyzed the descriptions in modern Japanese books on the rules of decorum. After the Showa Period we found there were twelve common types of descriptions specifically related to libraries. There were six kinds of descriptions about "things" found in libraries, and six kinds of descriptions about "behaviour" in libraries. Most of the descriptions about "things" were related to the books in libraries. Specifically, "Handle library books with care" was found in all of the books on manners. On the other hand, the most frequent descriptions about "behaviour" were related to being quiet. In particular, "Don't read aloud in the reading room" was the most frequent description. It has been already determined that the rule prohibiting oral reading in libraries became widespread after the Meiji Period; however it tended to decrease from the Taisho Period to the beginning of the Showa Period, based on previous studies. We believe that the "no oral reading" rule was transformed into a manner because of the impact of courtesy education promoted through the popularity of books on manners.