Okinawan librarians visit, exchange at Camp Foster library

Photo By Sgt. Jessica Collins | Okinawan librarians explore learning programs for children at the Camp Foster Library July 12. The visit was part of an exchange program between the American and Okinawan librarians. The librarians toured the Okinawa Collection and Study Guides section, which every American library on Okinawa contains. Once the tour was finished, the librarians ate lunch together, laughing and discussing their different views.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

07.12.2016

Story by Cpl. Jessica Collins 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

Okinawan librarians from Nago, Urasoe, Miyako and the Okinawa Prefectural library visited the Camp Foster library July 12.

The visit was part of an exchange program between the American libraries and the Okinawan libraries.

“This program helps to fortify the relationship between the libraries,” said Takana Nakamura, a public affairs representative with the U.S. Consulate General, Naha.

The librarians were able to tour the Okinawa Collection and Study Guides section, which every American library on Okinawa contains. The Okinawa libraries contain a similar section called the American Corner.

“This promotes American culture and education,” said Nakamura. “We hold English classes, watch American films and many other events. This exchange program fulfills the yearly training local libraries must have to keep the American Corner.”

The local libraries tend to follow a more traditional route than the American ones.

“Okinawan libraries aren’t nearly as digitized as the American libraries,” said Nakamura. “It’s interesting to see the differences like Wi-Fi areas and tablet rentals.”

As the group walked through the aisles of books, they took note of the differences.

“It’s really great to get the local librarians’ ideas because it’s a brand new perspective on what a library is and culturally how different things do or don’t work,” said Devin Farmer, a librarian at the Camp Foster library. “For example book clubs don’t really work for the libraries in Japan because they tend to be less likely to speak up.”

The Okinawan librarians were able to sit in on a pre-school reading program while they were there.

“It’s a great way for them to get to see the families here,” said Farmer. “It’s nice to have the reminder that people are just people and to learn from each other.”

Once the tour was finished, the librarians spent lunch together laughing and discussing their different views.

• Date Taken: 07.12.2016
• Date Posted: 07.15.2016 01:57
• Story ID: 204027
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP