I am delighted to participate in this program. I will have the opportunity to learn about the state of librariesin the United States and gain insights into the libraries and challenges that participants from around the world face in their respective countries. The librarians and participants are open to learning from one another, and they have created a welcoming atmosphere. I look forward to the next three and a half weeks of the program.

My institution
Waseda University is a private university and located in central Tokyo. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma founded it in 1882. Waseda has one of the largest populations of international students among Japanese universities.With a collection of approximately six million volumes, our library ranks third among Japanese universities. The Waseda University Library System consists of over 20 libraries and reading rooms. We collect, preserve, and provide public access to classic books, a resource that is also popular overseas. Our image database includes materials commonly featured in textbooks, including two National Treasures and five Important Cultural Properties.

Learing Goals
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of advanced library services and operations in the United States.
• Learn about the services provided to users from diverse, multinational backgrounds.
• Re-examine user services by studying and using libraries in a non-native language environment.
• Learn alongside trainees from around the world to deepen my knowledge of library servicesoutside the US and build professional networks.
• Enhance communication abilities and cross-cultural understanding to foster a multifaceted perspective in my work and develop international competence.

Here are my blog posts.

• Week 1 Reflection
• Week 2 Reflection
• Week 3 Reflection
• Final Reflection