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Overview

Overview

The Japan Association of National University Libraries (JANUL) aims at supporting the advancement of library functions through close coordination and cooperation among its member libraries, extensively promoting inter-library use of scholarly information resources, and contributing to the development of infrastructures for scholarly communications. These attempts have been assisting national universities in achieving their missions (fulfilling Article 5 of the JANUL Constitution).
JANUL is a membership organization comprising 86 libraries of national universities in Japan, the Open University of Japan Library, and five libraries of inter-university research institutes. JANUL holds an annual meeting. JANUL has a president and a vice-president, a board of directors consisting of 16 libraries elected from eight district associations, and two auditors. JANUL also has some committees that promote the projects and research efforts.
JANUL traces its roots to the 1st National University Librarians' Meeting held in 1954. In 1968 the Meeting was reorganized as the National University Library Council, and JANUL assumed its current form in 2004 with enforcement of the National University Corporation Act.

 

Main business

  • We have formulated our vision and are working to achieve our goals.
  • We have established four committees (General Affairs Committee, Human Resources Committee, Scholarly Information Resources Committee, Scholarly Information System Committee). Each committee plans and carries out projects in line with the vision of JANUL. If necessary, the committees conduct research and publish reports.
  • We implement subsidies to support various projects conducted by eight district associations.
  • We hold a symposium once a year.
  • We have established the JANUL Awards and commend advanced cases of member libraries.
  • We carry out the Overseas Training Project for our member librarians.
  • In addition, we implement subsidies to promote the efforts of members based on global trends and national policies.

 

Organization chart

Pamphlet