Ideology and Libraries: California, Diplomacy, and Occupied Japan, 1945-1952

In 1950, Robert L. Gitler founded the first college-level school of library science in Japan. This was documented in his assisted autobiography, Robert Gitler and the Japan Library School. Subsequent research has revealed the surprising discoveries and human interest of the lives of diverse individuals involved in initiatives to improve library services during the Allied occupation. A central role was played by Philip Keeney, a librarian who later became known as an alleged communist spy. The School of Librarianship at the University of California and its founding director, Sydney Mitchell, were found to have deeply influenced key figures. The difference in library development lay in the divergence between the ethos of the American public library and the evolving political ideology of Japanese governments after the Meiji Restoration.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

In 1950, Robert L. Gitler embarked on a remarkable journey to Japan, where he established the country's first college-level school of library science. His mission, deemed improbable by many, was meticulously documented in an assisted autobiography titled "Robert Gitler and the Japan Library School" (Scarecrow Press, 1999). Subsequent research into initiatives aimed at improving library services during the Allied occupation has unearthed surprising revelations and captivating stories of the lives of diverse individuals.

A pivotal figure in these efforts was Philip Keeney, a librarian who later gained notoriety as an alleged communist spy. The national plan for Japan's libraries was directly inspired by the county library system developed by progressive thinkers in California, a tale in itself. The School of Librarianship at the University of California, led by its founding director, Sydney Mitchell, played a significant role in shaping key figures. Furthermore, the story necessitates an understanding of the deployment of American libraries abroad as instruments of foreign policy and cultural diplomacy.

While Japan boasted a high literacy rate, a well-developed publishing and book retail industry, and skilled librarians, library services remained seriously underdeveloped. The disparity in library development lay in the profound divergence between the ethos of American public libraries, which prioritized individual self-development and Western liberal democracy, and the evolving political ideology of Japanese governments following the Meiji Restoration (1868). After absorbing authoritarian French and German administrative practices, Japan transitioned into a militarist dictatorship from the 1920s onwards until its surrender in 1945.

The literature on the Allied Occupation of Japan is extensive, encompassing various perspectives and narratives. However, the focus on library services has received relatively less attention, despite their pivotal role in shaping the cultural and intellectual landscape of post-war Japan.

Weight: 290g
Dimension: 229 x 151 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538171202