The Function of the Central Library in the Library Organization of Imperial University of Tokyo : With a Focus on the Consideration of the Model

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of central library of Tokyo Imperial University in university and library organizations from the perspective of their models and actual operation. The types of library which served as a model of the organization were two. One type was research-based and represented by German university libraries. In the type, the departments was cut off from the central and only important works was purchased. Another type was education-based and represented by American traditional university libraries. This type of library was aware that the relationship between the central and the department and not only important but also educational materials was collected. Tokyo Imperial University hoped the research-based libraries, while three library directors who had laid the foundation of the university library focused on the type of education. Looking at the operation of the library, central library and the department library were managed separately. Staff knowledge of the university library did not wear well but their knowledge of academic studies, especially Shisho's and Shishokan's, wore well. In the era of The Great Kanto Earthquake, KantoBook selection of central library was conducted by librarian, but did not have the relationship with faculty and classes fully. From here, we concluded that in 1920s, the central library was closer to the research-based type.