Chiyo Maekawa, who has been appointed director of Osaka's new cultural facility ``Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima,'' has experience as a librarian and director at libraries across the country, and has a track record of holding events related to children's books. He said, ``My new mission is to convey and connect children with the ideas of architect Tadao Ando, ​​who proposed, designed, and donated the Forest of Books, and creative director Yoshitaka Haba.'' It is said that it is. Maekawa, who says that she wants to take on the challenge of making use of her past experience and trying out innovative experiments unique to a cultural facility, talks about her plans for future events and her thoughts on this place.

Story: Chiyo Maekawa

I have previously served as a librarian and director at libraries across the country. Since working at the TRC (Library Distribution Center), I have been involved in the startup of many libraries when they switched from being directly managed by local governments to outsourced operations, and I am also a member of the Children's Library Study Group regarding picture books and children's books. When I was asked to become the curator this time, I thought that I might be able to put my past experience to use. ``Children's Book Forest Nakanoshima'' is a new type of facility that has never existed before, and it is attracting a lot of attention, so it may become a model case in the future. I see this as an important mission.

``Book Forest'' is not a library, but a cultural facility. The building, shelving arrangement, location, etc. are all unique, but for example, there is no counter that a library would normally have. Then, you'll start looking for books on your own. There is a possibility that you will come across an unexpected book. As Mr. Haba mentioned, this is a mechanism linked to the shelving method categorized by theme.

The way the shelves are arranged in the ``Forest of Books'' makes it easy for people to spread their interests horizontally and to have chance encounters with books. If you are looking for a book on "minerals", a book on "fossils" next to it will catch your eye, and your interest may then turn to "ancient organisms". On the other hand, parents' interests may expand from "minerals" to "gems," and both parents and children may develop intellectual curiosity.

At TRC, this intellectual curiosity is the trigger for everyone, both children and adults, to utilize the power of libraries (book collections, search systems, reference functions, etc.) and connect them with experiences and creations. I hope that you will engage in practical research. We are holding a ``Learning Contest Using Libraries'' to disseminate the results widely.

This ``Learning Contest Using Libraries'' (sponsored by the Library Foundation) allows each person to choose a theme of their own choice, conduct research in the library and fieldwork, put together a summary, and then submit an application. The contest is primarily aimed at elementary and junior high school students, and since its first event in 1, many wonderful works have been produced that rival university students' graduation theses.

In particular, the ``Children and Adults'' section, where parents and children investigate together, is popular because it not only deepens communication between children and adults, but also makes surprising discoveries from different perspectives. For example, if the theme is "dinosaurs," you can research together at the library and then visit the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. Some children are more interested in fossils than dinosaurs, while others are more interested in living things. Activities like this can also lead to a different, broader, and more interesting intellectual experience at the Book Forest. The Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library is right nearby, so you'll have an environment where you can do more in-depth research.

We are also planning various projects at ``Book Forest.'' I think we can create events that can only be done here, not just regular reading sessions. There are ``tour guides'' where staff guide you around the museum, and ``Book Forest Concerts'' where book readings are accompanied by live music. Normal libraries cannot hold events that produce sound.

I also tell my staff that I want them to keep coming up with suggestions. You've probably already heard loud laughter. Oh, I'm in a meeting (lol). Our staff members have diverse work backgrounds and experiences. Is it the hiring criteria for the interview? My personal feeling is that he is someone who has something that shines.

We have roughly decided where our staff will be assigned while the museum is open, but we have told them that they are free to do whatever they want. Because of this space, the child will fit into the small gap between the shelves, but this gap was intentionally created. The bookshelves and desks have rounded designs and are arranged in a way that excites children.

With Ando's building, Haba's book selection and shelving, and the addition of people, it becomes a ``book forest.'' When I arrived here and saw the shelves, I was surprised and inspired by Mr. Haba's sensitivity. Then, as I listened to Mr. Haba's thoughts and discussed them, I thought, ``Maybe I can deepen what Mr. Haba was saying.'' I believe that my new mission is to "connect" and communicate the thoughts of everyone who makes up this place to the users.