Improving the Status of Japanese Academic Librarians Through Better Implementation of Online Information Literacy Tutorials

Abstract

This paper reviews the state of academic librarianship in Japan and the ongoing efforts to improve the low professional status of Japanese academic librarians. The current use of online information literacy tutorials on Japanese academic library websites is examined through a quantitative content analysis of academic library websites in the United States, Canada and Japan. The data gathered indicates a significant gap between the use of online information literacy tutorials in the United States and Canada and their use in Japan. Improved professional development in Web 2.0 tools and technologies for Japanese academic librarians is suggested as a means to achieving both the broad societal goals of information literacy education and the specific goal of improving the professional status of academic librarians in Japan.