Cooperative Action regarding Books and Local Associations between 1897 and 1912 : From the Reading Room to the Traveling Library

Abstract

This paper aims to examine local cooperative action with regard to books during the third and fourth decades of the Meiji Period (1897-1912). It hopes to reveal the changes in the modes of cooperation concerning books and the effect these had on community-based organizations. The paper will focus primarily on cooperative action and local associations within Saitama Prefecture, using the example of reading rooms and traveling libraries with elementary schools, teachers, and youth groups (seinen-kai). Before the introduction of the traveling library in the third decade of the Meiji Period (1897-1906), elementary schools were utilized as the primary function hall for all local community events. Reading rooms for youth groups were set up in these elementary schools. However, the establishment of such communal reading rooms required many resources, from finding or even building new rooms, gathering books to staffing them. Consequently, reading rooms were largely managed by teaching staff and were used exclusively for educational purposes. The fourth decade of the Meiji Period (1907-1912) saw a proliferation in interest from local people in cooperative action concerning books. The central prefectural administration introduced traveling libraries, and held various events in elementary schools throughout Saitama Prefecture. While the initial impetus was the aim to provide schools with books for youth groups, the traveling libraries soon also targeted the community at large. This change to the function of traveling libraries represented a move away from cooperative action concerning itself exclusively with educational purposes, and towards everyday matters, including amusement. In order to fulfill these duties, the traveling library needed day-to-day bases to work from. In the case of Saitama Prefecture, new youth groups were established or old ones revitalized to support these endeavors. As such, the traveling library played a vital role in the rebuilding of local communities throughout the entire prefecture.