This material first appeared on the Library Portal on August 22, 2023, in Latvian. I interviewed Yuko Yoshida as an editor of the media, which is run by the Library Development Centre at the National Library of Latvia. For the material to be available in English as well, I’m re-posting it on the Sea Library’s website.
For several years now, Yuko Yoshida from Japan has focused her “researcher’s lens” on the Latvian library system. She is a professor at the Institute of Library, Information and Media Science, University of Tsukuba. In the summer of 2024, her book in Japanese “Latvian Libraries as Hubs of Language and Culture” will be published. The University of Tsukuba is a world-class university less than two hours’ drive from Tokyo and with three Nobel Prizes: in Chemistry (2000) and Physics (1973, 1965). Public libraries in the Baltic Sea region have long been Yuko Yoshida’s research field. In 2019, her and co-authors’ book in Japanese, “Public Libraries in Finland”, was published.
In August, Yuko Yoshida visited Latvia to see the Latvian National Library, Riga Central Library, and some of its branches with her own eyes. We met on a sunny morning in the square near the National Library and decided to continue the conversation right there in the shade of the maple trees. Yuko was happy about the lovely weather, Japanese summers are much hotter. Our conversation is mutually informative. The researcher asked about Latvia as much as I asked about Japan. In the conversation, Yuko Yoshida reveals why she has focused on Scandinavian libraries in her professional research and what prompted her to go further across the sea and study Latvia.
Yuko Yoshida emphasizes how developed the Latvian library system is in her view. She is interested in the fact that one of the functions of the National Library is to support Latvia’s public libraries (especially reading promotion services for children). Direct support for public libraries in Japan’s National Diet Library is relatively weak compared to Latvia. Moreover, taking into account the population, Latvia has proportionally more public libraries than Japan or even Finland.
Yuko Yoshida highlights digitization for reading, where Latvian libraries are well ahead of Japan, as only 28 percent of municipalities offer ebook services in public libraries. Although Japan is often seen as a technology powerhouse, digitizing books and making them freely available is a complex process where publishers are not entirely welcoming. Yuko Yoshida is very interested in how Latvian libraries and book publishers cooperate with each other. The information she read on the Latvian Libraries portal about the book procurement project seems to her to be a commendable example of cooperation, as well as the ambitious work of the National Library’s Children’s Literature Center in promoting reading. Also, visits by writers to libraries to meet readers – a beloved activity in Latvia – are rarely done in Japan.
In the conversation, Yuko Yoshida mentions community centers or Citizens’ Public Halls (kominkan) that are set up for lifelong learning and togetherness, and as a result libraries (toshokan) and librarians (toshokanin) are given more basic functions for reading, while other services for the community are handled by Citizens’ Public Halls. They were opened after the Second World War with the aim of uniting the inhabitants of the neighborhoods affected by the war. Their creation was determined by the state with a Social Education Act. Today, Citizens’ Public Halls offer educational programs in art, sports, handicrafts, and cultural activities for children, young people and seniors, as well as the opportunity to simply spend free time together. Some of the Citizens’ Public Halls also have small libraries staffed by library staff. The operation of the centers is financed and administered by local municipalities. Also common in Japan are private children’s libraries and various micro-libraries, which are opened by community residents on their own initiative and there are active reading programs in those facilities.
Latvian Libraries Portal wants to thank Yuko Yoshida for her time and interest and wishes all the best with her upcoming book.
Is this your first time in Latvia? How do you like it here?
This is my first time in Latvia. I was very impressed by the many forests in Latvia seen from the sky. The bread served at breakfast in the hotel is very delicious.
Have you always been interested in libraries?
I am a researcher in public libraries, so, yes, I have always been interested in libraries. My first work experience was being a librarian at a small library. I was inspired by a librarian in a community center that I visited as a kid.
What inspired you to start studying libraries in Scandinavia?
It was around 2005 that I decided to start researching Scandinavian libraries. This was because Scandinavian libraries had been introduced to Japan as providing solid services in accordance with the Library Act, always challenging new services, flexible use of library space, and active use of the library by local residents.
How did you start researching libraries in Latvia?
When studying libraries in Scandinavian countries, I became interested in libraries in the Baltic countries. The opening event “book chain of book lovers”, where people created a chain to bring books from the old building of the National Library of Latvia to the new one in the winter of 2014 left a particularly strong impression on me. I am also very interested in the strong development of Latvian libraries in almost 30 years since independence. It’s impressive how much has been done in these few decades!
In 2025 we will celebrate 500 years since the first book in Latvian was printed. The National Library of Latvia with a program of events is highlighting the fact that the Latvian language is super important for sustaining our culture. It is also one of your premises in your upcoming book: you write that libraries are hubs for sustaining the national language and culture. And that writers play a huge role as well. Can you tell us more about these ideas?
Your question was exactly what I wanted to write about in my book. In Japan, unfortunately, authors, publishing and public libraries are separated. But these three parties need to work together to protect our culture. In Latvia, these three parties seem to have a close relationship. For example, the Ministry of Culture purchases books and distributes them to libraries, children’s book review events and author visits to libraries. I would love to introduce these topics in my book.
While working on your book, can you already draw some conclusions?
There are two conclusions at this point.
The first is the role of libraries as bastions of language. This is common to all countries, but I think it is especially important for Latvian libraries, which have lived through a difficult history. The Latvian Constitution clearly states that Latvian is the official language. I was very impressed by that.
Second, is the role of libraries as reading spaces. Today, public libraries around the world have become diversified, multi-purpose cultural spaces. However, reading is undoubtedly the cornerstone of libraries. In my book, I would like to emphasize this through the introduction of a program to promote reading in Latvia.
Has something surprised you while doing your research?
I’d like to point out two factors. The first is the remarkable development that has taken place in a short period of about 30 years. The second is the number of public libraries. Latvia has more public libraries per capita than Finland, where libraries are actively used.
What has made the biggest impression on you after visiting in person the National Library of Latvia and Riga Central Library and its branches?
The National Library of Latvia overwhelmed me with its architectural grandeur and openness and the strength of the people’s feelings for this library. Regarding Rica Central Library and branch libraries, I was impressed by the fact that each library provides unique services according to communities and that they steadily provide services needed by residents in an environment that is close to the residents. From now on, I would like to spend some time verbalizing the libraries I visited in Latvia.
What is the role of a public library today and how has it changed over decades?
Some things have changed and some things have stayed the same. What has changed is that libraries have become multi-purpose. They now not only support reading but also information literacy and access to culture. What has not changed is that libraries are places that support lifelong learning and communicate the value of reading.
Libraries are the opposite of capitalism: everything here is for free. How important is it to sustain libraries in today’s society? I’ve heard an idea that it wouldn’t be possible to create something like a library today. No one would believe that a place like that is possible.
I agree. I think it is a miracle that books can be checked out for free at a place called public libraries. In this day and age when everything is driven by capitalistic principles, I think the survival of cultural institutions like libraries is a beacon of hope for our society. By the way, I have heard that in Latvia, libraries are called “castles of light”. They truly are places that give us light.
You have written a book about libraries in Finland. Scandinavian public libraries are an example that many learn a lot from. How do you explain their success?
There are many things I can learn from libraries in Scandinavian countries. Especially in the design of spaces, diverse cultural programs, and support for immigrants and refugees. The most important lesson, however, is that libraries have as their goal equal access to culture for all people, and they make every effort to achieve this goal. Citizens also understand that libraries are important institutions and actively enjoy library services.
Library advocacy becomes more and more crucial in many countries, including Latvia. Is library advocacy important in Japan? What do libraries in your country do to avoid being closed or the lack of funding?
Advocacy is important in Japanese libraries. In particular, I would like to emphasize citizen participation in advocacy. Ordinary people are active as volunteers in lobbying.
Has the role of a librarian changed over the years in Japan? What is a librarian today?
The role of librarians is changing. However, compared to the Nordic countries, they are engaged in more traditional work related to reading in Japan. There is a reason for this. Japan has three times as many special facilities for lifelong learning (Citizens’ public halls) as libraries. Citizens’ public halls are inherent institutions in Japan. Those community centers are responsible for cultural programs. Therefore, I think that the role of public libraries is relatively focused on reading support.
What are some of the main challenges for Japanese libraries today?
Disparities between libraries in collections, service, and staff; unqualified librarians and an increasing number of temporary workers and part-time workers.
Do you have your favorite library in the world?
All the libraries I have visited in Scandinavia have been wonderful and memorable. There are also many wonderful libraries in Japan. However, I actually prefer small libraries. The small library in the corner of the community center where I used to go as a child is probably my favorite library.
About the illustration above: The materials given by Yuko Yoshida and also her business card features an illustration of a moose sitting on the stump to read a book. When asked what the meaning of this symbol is, Yuko says that with the slogan “Books, libraries and imagination” this logo was created in 2019 for the Nordic libraries research project, within the framework of which also the public library system of Latvia is being researched. Illustration: Natsumi Furuyama.
Interviewed by:
Anna Iltnere
Editor of Library Portal
Library Development Centre
The National Library of Latvia
anna.iltnere@lnb.lv
Sea Library 