Preserving Records for the Future: Publication of "History of Keio University Library II"

2024/05/27

In October 2023, the Keio University Media Center published "History of Keio University Library II" (hereinafter referred to as "Library History II"). As one of the editorial committee members, I would like to share my thoughts on the compilation process and take this opportunity to introduce the book.

To tell the story of the Keio University libraries, "History of Keio University Library" (hereinafter referred to as "Library History I" for convenience) was published in 1972. It traces the roots back to the end of the Edo period and summarizes the history primarily of Mita up until 1970. It is a valuable historical document that conveys the spirit and efforts of our predecessors toward the library. As the number "II" indicates, the newly published "Library History II" succeeds it, looking back and recording the 50-year journey from fiscal year 1970 to fiscal year 2019, expanding the scope to include libraries across all campuses.

In the preface to "Library History I," Masao Takatori, then Director of the Library and Professor of the Faculty of Law, wrote: "Since being appointed Director of the Library, I have tried to recall the library's progress to date and seek out the achievements of successive directors and the efforts of the staff who cooperated with them. However, there were surprisingly few articles regarding the library even in the 'History of Keio University: 100 Years.' (...) I felt it was necessary to record the state of the Juku, centered on the library, while we still can." Based on this sentiment, the task of writing was entrusted to Mr. Yanosuke Ito, who had the longest career as a staff member at the time. Working alone, Mr. Ito researched the 50th, 75th, and 100th-anniversary histories of Keio University, as well as the "Jiji Shinpo," "Mita-hyoron (official monthly journal published by Keio University Press)," "Sanshokuki," "Keio Gijuku Gakuho," "Keio Gijuku Soran," and "Library Annual Reports." He compiled a 348-page book complete with chronological tables and historical statistics, brilliantly meeting Director Takatori's expectations.

Daily memories gradually fade. As library professionals specializing in literature research, we are deeply aware of how important it is to leave records before people change and materials are scattered. In 2012, the Mita Media Center published "Draft History of Keio University Library 1970–2012" to mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Old Library and the 30th anniversary of the New Library in Mita. However, the content was limited to Mita, and the history of the Media Center as a whole was postponed. Fifty years after the publication of "Library History I," realizing that it would soon be too late, an editorial committee of seven veteran staff members was organized in September 2021 to begin preparations for the publication of "Library History II."

The policy for compilation was not to have senior members recount the past, but for current Media Center staff to divide the work of reading and summarizing past materials. Writing text that conveys information to readers while understanding changes in social conditions is a quality that university staff should acquire. Furthermore, there was an expectation that writing while learning history and envisioning the future would lead to self-improvement. A total of 34 people, including young and mid-career staff, were involved, accounting for 40% of all full-time Media Center staff.

In writing, we referred to university publications such as "Mita-hyoron (official monthly journal published by Keio University Press)" and used records from Keio University's administrative departments, such as the "Keio University Almanac," "Keio Gijuku-ho (Jukuho)," and the "Bulletin of Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration)." We also used "A Brief History of Jukukan-kyoku (I), II, and III" edited and published in 1960, 1987, and 2018 as sources. Additionally, the Media Center has an internal journal (now "MediaNet") founded in 1967, and while these records were certainly very helpful, the minutes of meetings and committees within the Media Center were detailed and highly reliable, serving as important materials to add depth to the content. However, older records were not always stored neatly in one place, and gaps or incompleteness were occasionally found, which reminded us once again of how vital it is to keep records.

When librarians, who specialize in handling books daily, create a book, they don't just think about content satisfaction; they imagine the book sitting on a shelf in some library.

The first point of focus was the title of the book. As mentioned, while "Library History I" focused on the activities of the library in Mita, "Library History II" covers all campuses and is written from the perspective of integrating library services across the entire Juku, starting with computerization. Even now, the name "Mita Media Center (Keio University Library)" refers to the library in Mita, so if expanding to the whole, "History of Keio University Libraries" would technically be more appropriate. However, when considering Volumes I and II together as a continuous history from the end of the Edo period to the Reiwa era, we wanted them to stand together on the shelf with the same spine text, so we deliberately chose a title that omitted "University" (see photo). Similarly, if we had used a title starting with "Sequel," the two volumes would be separated when arranged alphabetically, so we added "II" at the end. Furthermore, the simple, old-fashioned binding—gold lettering on a plain navy blue cloth—was also modeled after Volume I.

The second point of focus was the distribution of the finished product. Based on the premise that this book would be released electronically as a PDF, we requested Keio University Press to produce 500 physical copies (not for sale). As publishing formats worldwide shift from paper to electronic, wasteful donations should be avoided, so we limited our mailings to domestic university libraries that already held "Library History I." We also deposited copies with the National Diet Library.

Holding the finished product, I feel relieved to have summarized 50 years of records, and I hope it will be useful to someone someday. PDF versions of both "Library History I" and "Library History II" are available on the Media Center website. I would be delighted if you would browse through them and if they serve as a way to recall your connection with the campus.

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