Okay, here is a detailed article based on the information provided from the NDL Current Awareness Portal regarding the exhibition at Kanagawa Prefectural Library, written in an easy-to-understand manner.
Kanagawa Prefectural Library Presents “80 Years After the War: Wartime Libraries and Library Activities” Exhibition
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – The Kanagawa Prefectural Library is currently hosting a significant planned exhibition titled 「戦後80年 戦時文庫と戦時下の図書館活動」 (Sengo 80 nen: Senji Bunko to Senjika no Toshokan Katsudo), which translates to “80 Years After the War: Wartime Libraries and Library Activities.”
According to an announcement published on the National Diet Library (NDL) Current Awareness Portal on May 15, 2025, at 08:44, the exhibition is actively being held at the library. This timely display marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in 1945, offering a crucial opportunity to reflect on a less commonly discussed aspect of the wartime experience: the role and challenges faced by libraries and their collections.
Libraries are often seen as quiet havens of knowledge and learning, but during times of war, their functions and the fate of their contents are profoundly impacted. This exhibition aims to shed light on how libraries in Japan, including potentially those within Kanagawa Prefecture, operated under the extraordinary circumstances of wartime.
Key themes expected to be covered by the exhibition, based on its title, include:
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Wartime Collections (戦時文庫 – Senji Bunko): This likely refers to the types of books and materials that were prevalent or specifically created during the war. This could include:
- Propaganda materials and publications supporting national policy.
- Technical or scientific books deemed essential for the war effort.
- Censored or prohibited literature.
- Books focused on military affairs, patriotism, or wartime lifestyle.
- Possibly also the fate of existing collections – how libraries managed, preserved, or lost books due to censorship, bombings, or resource shortages.
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Library Activities During Wartime (戦時下の図書館活動 – Senjika no Toshokan Katsudo): This part of the exhibition would delve into the practical aspects of running a library under duress. This could involve:
- How libraries adapted their services (or were forced to change them) in response to wartime directives.
- The impact of air raids and destruction on library buildings and collections.
- Challenges related to staffing, resources (like paper), and funding.
- The role libraries played (or were compelled to play) in disseminating information or promoting national morale.
- Efforts made to protect or evacuate valuable cultural and intellectual assets.
By presenting historical materials and narratives from this period, the Kanagawa Prefectural Library provides visitors with a unique perspective on the intersection of war, information, and cultural institutions. The exhibition serves as an important historical record, prompting reflection on the resilience of libraries and the complex relationship between access to information and societal conditions, particularly during conflict.
While the initial announcement via the NDL portal confirms the exhibition is currently running as of May 15, 2025, specific details such as the exhibition’s exact start and end dates, opening hours, and precise contents are best obtained directly from the official source.
Prospective visitors are strongly encouraged to visit the official website of the Kanagawa Prefectural Library for the most up-to-date information regarding the “80 Years After the War: Wartime Libraries and Library Activities” exhibition before planning their visit. Admission to library exhibitions of this nature is typically free, offering an accessible way for the public to engage with this important historical topic.
This exhibition at the Kanagawa Prefectural Library stands as a valuable contribution to understanding the broader social history of Japan during World War II, highlighting the often-unseen challenges and functions of institutions dedicated to knowledge during a period of intense national crisis.
神奈川県立図書館、企画展示「戦後80年 戦時文庫と戦時下の図書館活動」を開催中
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