Changes and Challenges in Research on Japanese Public Library Services for Older Adults in the Context of the Social Trends Surrounding This Group

Purpose: This paper aimed to understand the characteristics of and changes in research on Japanese public library services for older adults over time, as well as to identify future research directions, in relation to the social trends surrounding this demographic.Methods: First, literature and web surveys were employed to research and clarify the social trends surrounding older adults in Japan, from the period of rapid economic growth to the present. Policy documents of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), as well as gerontology research results, were the main texts used. Next, focusing on 168 references extracted from CiNii, BIBLIS PLUS, the Current Awareness Portal, and the Bibliography of Library and Information Science, the characteristics and changes in research on services for older adults in public libraries were discussed in relation to the related social trends.Results: The analysis revealed that research on services for this population in Japanese public libraries can be divided into five phases: Phase I: emerging awareness of older adults; Phase II: beginning of the search for services; Phase III: transitioning to an independent user category; Phase IV: deepening awareness of this population and diversification of services; and Phase V: focusing on dementia and strengthening cooperation. Although there are some differences among the phases, it is clear that public library research on older adults has followed specific social trends in many cases. Finally, two important issues were identified for future research: the continuous recognition of the actual situation of older adults and the discussion of services from diverse perspectives.