Nancy Deegan traveled to Japan as part of a fellowship exchange program between Arizona and Japanese libraries. She visited 17 institutions over 9 days to learn about their use of technology for remote access, library services, and information literacy initiatives. While she expected to find progressive technology use, the reality was that most materials remained in print only and remote access was limited. Some libraries offered digital archives and mobile apps, but services were primarily face-to-face. She observed a hesitation to fully incorporate digital materials and services despite trends toward digital libraries globally.
1. West Meets East Nancy Deegan Central Arizona College 2009 Horner Fellow
2. Horner Fellowship Established and endowed in 1989 by Dr. Layton “Jack” Horner and his wife, Marian Exchange program between AzLA and JLA Foster cultural understanding and information exchanges Visits take place each year AZ librarians visit Japan in odd numbered years Japanese librarians visit AZ in even numbered years
3. What I Hoped to Learn: How remote access to digital collections is offered How technology is being used to provide library services and instruction Especially mobile technologies and social networking If information literacy issues exist How they deal with these issues
5. Where I Went Tokyo Nagasaki National Diet Library Chiyoda City Public Library Goethe Institut Library Library Fair & Forum International Library of Children’s Literature University of Tokyo Library Waseda University Library Chuo University High School Library Meiji University High School Library National Institute of Informatics Meiji University Library Nagasaki University Library Kyoto Kyoto Seika University Library Doshisha University Library National Diet Library Osaka City Library Manga Museum
6. Technology Assumptions Progressive technology being used Availability of electronic materials Journal databases eBooks Remote access available
7. Reality Majority of library materials made available in print only Foreign materials are the exception Remote access is often limited Most services provided face to face. WiFi available in limited areas
