Mita Society for Library and Information Science 199th Monthly Meeting: "Opening Up Special Libraries—The Current Status and Future of Special Libraries Based on Statistics and Practice"

Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

 Keio University Mita Campus, Graduate School Building 1F, Conference Room AB / Online Hybrid

Free for members of the Mita Society for Library and Information Science / 1,000 yen guest fee for non-members

While special libraries exhibit great diversity in terms of their parent organizations, staff, budgets, and the status of their collections, issues regarding their survival—such as library closures and a decrease in the number of members in the Japan Special Libraries Association—are becoming apparent. In this report, we will provide an overview of the current status of special libraries based on various statistics and introduce movements to open up specialized materials, broaden the user base, and demonstrate their mission and existential value to society. Furthermore, we will touch upon the collection and dissemination of information on local special libraries by prefectural libraries, and consider the future of special libraries through the practices of public relations, user expansion, and regional cooperation at the Sanko Library.