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176 Journal of Library Science in China, Vol.9, 2017

The development and issues of the outsourcing operation of Japanese public
libraries
〇a*
CAO Lei〇
In 1963, Article 244 of Japanese Local Autonomy Act added the concept of “public facilities”
which allowed local government to delegate public facilities to the outsourcing operation. For a
long time, the outsourcing operation was not used in public libraries. In 1981, Kyoto Municipal
Library was the first outsourcing operated library while seldom did libraries use this system. In
1991, amendments to Local Autonomy Act relaxed the restrictions on outsourcing operation.
Since then, NPO Act in 1998 allowed NPO organizations to run the public library. PFI Act in 1999
allowed non-government forces to be involved from construction to operation of public libraries.
In 2003, a major amendment to Local Autonomy Act established the “designated administrator
system”, which deeply promoted the outsourcing operation of various public venues. In 2006,
Public Services Reform Act allowed more civil organizations to step into the operation of public
venues in the way of competitive bidding. At this point, the outsourcing operation of Japanese
public libraries has been fully opened to the community. Reviewing the process of the outsourcing
operation of Japanese public libraries, it is evident to find that models of public libraries’
outsourcing management are differentiated with a complete progress. An increasing number of
social organizations have been permitted to set foot in this progress which greatly expands the
scope.
In Japan, public debates of outsourcing operation have always existed since the 1980s.
Supporters firmly hold the perspective of reducing government spending and improving economic
rationality, while opponents insist the deterioration of public welfare and specialty of the library.
The debate, lasting for more than 30 years, is still inconclusive. A proper view of outsourcing
management should combine both sides and distinguish the difference between theory and
operation.
As outsourcing management is part of neo-liberal reforms of Japanese government, the
government, during this process, is the most critical. The progress of outsourcing management
is dominated by Central Government. Local governments are practitioners and promoters. Both
have different responsibilities. The former should focus on guidance and control, and the latter
should pay attention to operational details of outsourcing management. To distinguish the original
and secondary problems is another important issue for government, as different strategies shall be
adopted.
The outsourcing management of public library is one of the options to pursue economic
rationality, which should be based on the public attributes of the public library.

* Correspondence should be addressed to CAO Lei, Email: caolei816@163.com, ORCID: 0000-0001-9674-2823