Development of Public Library Services for Government Employees: A Case Analysis of Tahara City Library

This study aims to elucidate how library services for local governmental employees develop in a public library. We selected Tahara City Library in Aichi Prefecture as a case, whose services are actively provided to citizens and organizations in the local community. We conducted case analysis using document surveys and semi-structured interviews with a director, an assistant director, governmental employees (experienced in using the services), and librarians in charge of the services. Results show that the consciousness of librarians and local government employees has become strongly connected during the progress of the services. The strong relationship between them made previous services transform into new services for local governmental employees. After creating the services, librarians continuously made a great effort and improved them. Furthermore, we found that new collaborations between the library and the department of local government created positive outcomes for each organization. Finally, we illustrated four phases of the process and the specialized knowledge of librarians.