Opened in 1995, the Kasuga City Citizen’s Library stands as a testament to the city’s dedication to knowledge and community. This library isn’t just a repository of books. It’s a vibrant hub within the Fureai Cultural Center. It shares its parking lot with the cultural center and the general sports center. This makes it easily accessible for everyone.
The Kasuga City Citizen’s Library holds a collection of over 316,000 books. It also provides access to films and other media. A unique feature of this library is a book sterilization machine. This machine allows patrons to remove dust and other allergens from their borrowed books. This seemingly small detail speaks volumes about the library’s commitment to its patrons’ well-being. It caters to the needs of all its users.
The journey of the Kasuga City Citizen’s Library began long before its official opening in 1995. In 1924, a village library was established within the local elementary school. The need for a proper library grew with the city’s population. Despite facing budgetary constraints and competing infrastructure projects, the city remained committed to this goal. The public library, though small, expanded its collection significantly over the years. In the 1990s, plans for a dedicated library building finally materialized.
The current library building is a two-story steel-reinforced concrete structure. It cost approximately 7 billion yen to construct. The first floor houses the main book collection. The second floor and basement contain administrative offices, closed stacks, and mechanical rooms. The library also boasts a mobile library service, the “Tanpopo-go”. Initially, there was debate about the necessity of this mobile library. Some argued that the city was too small and the daytime population too low to justify it. However, the planning committee recognized its vital role in expanding library services. The “Tanpopo-go” has since proven its worth, becoming a beloved part of the community and a key element in the library’s outreach.
The Kasuga City Citizen’s Library also participates in a wide-area library network with 16 other municipalities in Fukuoka Prefecture. This agreement allows residents of Kasuga and these other municipalities to borrow materials from each other’s libraries. This collaborative system demonstrates a dedication to resource sharing. It also emphasizes the importance of community engagement. The library also offers a range of reference services, administrative and legislative support, and even provides meeting rooms. It truly acts as a dynamic community space.