Abstract
This paper analyzes the differences in the number of libraries disclosed in the Social Education Survey and the survey conducted by the Japan Library Association （JLA Survey）. According to the results of the 2018 survey, there was a difference of 64 libraries, with 3,360 being reported in the Social Education Survey and 3,296 in the JLA Survey. In addition, there were differences in the number of libraries for 130 municipalities. In both surveys, there are differences in the libraries to be surveyed, so the main factors that possibly cause the differences in reported numbers are the treatment of branches as stipulated in the library establishment regulations and the enforcement regulations for public libraries. At the same time, there is also the possibility that issues such as the attitude of each library and local government toward responding to surveys are affecting the reported results.
