Introduction of LINCS: LIbrarians' Network for Culturally diverse Society (Musubime-no-kai)

Starting around the 1990’s rapidly phrases such as ‘Internationalization’, ‘Migrate Foreign Workers’ surfaced in our daily life and the numbers of foreigners we notice have rapidly increased. From another angle, due to the Japan’s colony policy more half a century ago, there Koreans and Chinese origin people have been living in the community. These people are the closest foreigners to the Japanese majority.

The foreigners who have recently come to Japan have reminded that foreigners existed for many decades. Librarians are questioning themselves the following questions. “What would be a society where many ethnic groups co-exist happily in peace? How should the library contribute in creating a society where people from different birthplaces respect each other’s culture?

LINCS: LIbrarians' Network for Culturally diverse Society (Musubime-no-kai) was founded in July 1991 in order to seek the answer of such questions. A research and movement group formed of people through out Japan who have interest about Multicultural services in the library.

The intent in the foundation and the Japanese group name is a desire to ”connect(musubu)” the library and the following: people such as foreigners with different ethnic cultural backgrounds, the writings and information addressed to such people and support groups with intention to support co-existence with them.

< Basic activities>

1. Collection information regarding the environment of foreigners and the relation between the library.

2. Provide a place to exchange information between members and people related with the library.

3. Create tools to assist multicultural services in the library.

<Overview>

1. Journal

“Musubime2000” is issued 4 times a year. Number 64 was issued in Mar. 2009.

2. Mailing List

Members can exchange information through our mailing list.

3. Membership fee

Membership fee 2000yen per year, one time registration fee 1000yen.

4. Contact person

LINCS: LIbrarians' Network for Culturally diverse Society (Musubime-no-kai)

5-16-5-506 Isobe, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, 261-0012

Ms. Keiko Sakota