“School Library Cafe” was held [City of Literature Okayama Participation Project]

School librarians at school libraries work every day for children’s growth  and rich learning.

The school librarians explained situation about the school libraries in Okayama City and gave a report from the school librarians.

“Ishii Elementary School Library and Ishii Junior High School District in relation to Joji Tsubota.”

The reporter was Akiko Takahashi, school librarian at Ishii Elementary School.

Ishii Elementary School is the birthplace of Joji Tsubota and home of Joji's archives. Ishii Elementary School has held for nearly 70 years for commemorating Joji Tsubota . The 3rd grade children (aged 8 to 9 years old) study Joji and his works through fieldwork and research.

The school library has also introduced Tsubota's works through storytelling and puppet shows The school library also introduces the works of authors who were nurtured by Joji Tsubota Joji and the Joji Tsubota Literary Award. Librarians has kept working with the local “Children's Museum” to carry on  conveying the world of Joji's works.

“Children are taking advantage of tablets in school libraries.”

The presenter was Takako Kanabayashi, school librarian at Okayama Chuo Junior High School. She introduced an example of how the school library has promoted research learning using both library materials and tablet terminals.

In a study using encyclopedias, children created their own quizzes from them. Children uploaded the quizzes to their tablets, and distributed them to the entire school.

At the junior high school, reading guides and school library activities are reported from the school library. The library committee held an event using tablets to improve their IT skills. Students gained  confidence in using tablets through research and presentation of their findings in their classes.

After the report from librarians, participants discussed in small groups. “The presence of school librarians in school libraries allows children to carry on learning for connecting school education and local culture. 

(This article was written by the Secretariat of City of Literature Okayama based on the report from the School Library Café.)