• Index of this issue

No. 62, July 2008

The International Library of Children´s Literature (ILCL), a branch of the National Diet Library (NDL), holds a number of exhibitions themed on children´s books in Japan and other countries introducing the ILCL´s valuable collections and their charm to the public. Since the ILCL opened in 2000, it has held 29 special exhibitions, and some of them in collaboration with other institutions.

The past three exhibitions: the ILCL opening celebratory exhibition: "A History of Japanese Translations of Children's Books from Abroad" (2000), "Europe, a Dream in Pictures?" (2002) and "Books for All Children"(2005)were jointly held with the Japanese Board on Books for Young People (JBBY). "Hans Christian Andersen Award 2006 &IBBY Honour List 2006" will also be held with JBBY for a month from August 21, 2008.

"Palette of Dream Colours: Winning Works of Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustrations from Asia, Africa, and Latin America" is a biennial exhibition cosponsored by the Asia /Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU).

"Look up at the Sky: Children's Books on the Sun, Moon, and Stars" (2007) was produced by the ILCL with the help of the Japan Space Forum which lent replicas of a rocket and a space suit for display. The exhibition helped to deepen children´s understanding and interest in science and also gave a boost to the PR work of Japanese science museums which had not been very much involved in activities of this kind before.

Collaboration with other institutions enables the ILCL to display a wide range of exhibits and to have other viewpoints besides that of the library in planning exhibitions.

Some of the ILCL events are also held in cooperation with other institutions. In May 2006, the ILCL supported the 50th Child Welfare Week commemorative projects sponsored by the Foundation for Promoting Sound Growth of Children, by holding "Story Hour by Kazuo Iwamura, picture book author." In March 2007 and March 2008, Tokyo Opera Nomori Executive Committee and the ILCL co-produced an event featuring picture books and music for children. It was one of the events in "NOMORI Event Week" held at cultural facilities in Ueno Park.

Ueno Park where the ILCL is located has many cultural institutions including fine art and other museums. These institutions are organized into Ueno no Yama Bunka Zone Renraku Kyogikai (Ueno no Yama Liaison Council) which arranges excellent cooperation between them. The ILCL itself continues mutual cooperation with other institutions, thus improving its ability to offer information as a cultural institution and producing more fascinating exhibitions and events.