Collaboration between Japanese and American Officials and Leaders in Editing the "School Library Handbook

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  • 『学校図書館の手引』編集における日米関係者の協働
  • ガッコウ トショカン ノ テビキ ヘンシュウ ニ オケル ニチベイ カンケイシャ ノ キョウドウ

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Abstract

This study examines the collaboration between Japanese and American officials and leaders in editing the "School Library Handbook" which was published in December 1948 in Japan under the U.S. occupation. This historical study is based on analysis of unexplored primary documents in both nations. To edit the handbook, a committee, "Gakko Toshokan(shitsu) Unei no Tebiki" Henshu-Iinkai, was organized in the Monbusho. Seven Japanese belonging to the committee wrote the book's chapters, which were advised and approved by several American librarians and officers. The study examines several drafts of the Handbook's table of contents in chronological order. A 17 April 1947 draft was already similar to the published table of contents. The draft introduced the terms Tosho Iin, literally meaning students' library committee and dokusho shido, literally meaning reading instruction. These activities became common in postwar Japanese school libraries. The study also proved that the American books handed by the American advisors were referred in making the table of contents.

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