I wish you a Happy New Year.

The state of the world is always changing, and these days, at an ever-increasing speed. In order to cope with the state affairs facing increasingly complex issues, we intend to strengthen the research sector, our special forte, of the National Diet Library through enhanced partnership with research institutes and researchers at home and abroad.

I also believe that this is the year when the publication and circulation of e-publications, as well as the establishment of the digital library, will get on the right track. One of the most pressing issues in the NDL is to replace our library operating system, including OPAC search, and launch a brand new system from next January. Preparation and piloting are well under way and new search engine to answer the needs of new age has been rolled out: I dare to believe that the new system will satisfy our patrons.

Another issue to tackle is legislation for e-depositing. It is vitally important to amend the National Diet Library Law so that we can fully acquire, preserve and use growing e-publications. The Legal Deposit System Council submitted a report on the matter last June and we started the groundwork, including consensus building with publishers, to legislate e-depositing with a view to introducing and passing the bill in the ordinary session of the Diet next year. Speed is of the utmost importance lest we lose valuable creative Japanese works.

Last but not least, the large-scale digitization project we embarked upon with the supplementary budget of FY2009 is running smoothly. We expect that part of the digitized collection will be made public this year.

Your continued guidance and support will be much appreciated.

Makoto Nagao, Librarian, National Diet Library