Waseda University LibraryWaseda University

About the Library

History

History of Waseda University Library

The history of Waseda University Library begins in 1882 with the establishment of a library room in the school building when the University was originally founded as Tokyo Senmon Gakko. When the name was changed to Waseda University in 1902, a separate library facility was constructed. In 1925, a new library building (the present Building No. 2) was completed. In 1991 the Central Library was opened, and the functions of the main library were relocated there.

– Waseda University Library is established in one of the lecture rooms of the Tokyo Senmon  Gakko building.

1882
– Waseda University Library is established in one of the lecture rooms of the Tokyo Senmon Gakko building.

– Tokyo Senmon Gakko becomes Waseda University.<br />
– The first Waseda University Library inaugurated.<br />

1902
– Tokyo Senmon Gakko becomes Waseda University.
– The first Waseda University Library inaugurated.

– New Library completed (the present Building No. 2).

1925
– New Library completed (the present Building No. 2).

– Central Library and Center for Scholarly Information inaugurated.

1991
– Central Library and Center for Scholarly Information inaugurated.
1882 The forerunner of the Library is established in a lecture room of the Tokyo Senmon Gakko building.
1889 The library is moved to the new Auditorium.
1900 The library changes its name from Tokyo Senmon Gakko Toshoshitsu (Tokyo Senmon Gakko Library Room) to Tokyo Senmon Gakko Toshokan (Tokyo Senmon Gakko Library).
1902 – Tokyo Senmon Gakko becomes Waseda University.
– The first Waseda University Library is inaugurated.
1905 A Tang-period copy of chapter 59 of Raiki Shihon Sogi, a commentary on the Liji (Classic of Rites), is donated by Tanaka Mitsuaki. The chapter deals with the etiquette and conduct of funerals and is a national treasure.
1914 A Tang-period copy of vol. 9 of the 6th century Chinese dictionary Yupian (J. Gyokuhen, national treasure) and Todaiji Monjo (Todaiji Documents, important cultural property) are donated.
1925 New Library completed (the present Building No.2).
1927 The painting Meian (Light and Darkness) by Yokoyama Taikan and Shimomura Kanzan is hung in the Library.
1928 Reading room enlarged.
1934 – Book storage expanded.
– Faculty reading room and graduate student reading room inaugurated.
1951 First issue of Toshokan Geppo published.
1955 – Reference Room opens.
– Reference service inaugurated.
– AV materials section added to the Library.
1959 First issue of Waseda Daigaku Toshokan Kiyou (Bulletin of Waseda University Library) published.
1976 Publication of the series Waseda Daigaku Toshokan Shiryo Sosho (Waseda University Library Materials) begins.
1982 Computers make their first appearance in the library.
1984 – Publication of Waseda Daigaku Eiin Sosho (Facsimile Editions of Rare Japanese Books in the Collection of Waseda University Library) begins.
– First issues of Fumikura and Laibu-topia, PR magazines of Waseda University Library, are published.
– The decision is made to transform the University baseball ground into a new Central Library.
1985 – Honjo Library inaugurated.
– Scholarly Information System (WINE) begins operation.
1986 Cooperative agreement with Keio University begins.
1987 Tokorozawa Library opens.
– Meiji Era Materials Microform Project begins.
1989 Science & Engineering Library inaugurated.
1990 Waseda Daigaku Toshokan Shi (History of Waseda University Library) and Waseda Daigaku Toshokan Kan-zo Shiryo zuroku (Catalogue of Rare Materials in the Collection of Waseda University Library) published.
1991 Central Library and Center for Scholarly Information inaugurated.
1992 Toyama Library inaugurated.
1994 Takata Sanae Memorial Research Library inaugurated.
– Otsuki Gentaku Collection, part of the Yogaku Bunko (Western Studies Collection), is designated an Important Cultural Property.
– Waseda begins providing data to OCLC. By 2001 approximately 560,000 records have been uploaded.
1999 New library OPAC WINE system (INNOPAC) begins operation.
2000 The Library begins using NACSIS-ILL system.
2001 – An automated storage retrieval system is installed on the third level basement floor of the Central Library. Its storage capacity is 500,000 vols.
– Cooperative agreement with Doshisha University begins.
2002 – Cooperative agreement with Columbia University Libraries begins.
– Cooperative agreement with Korea University Library begins.
2004 – Cooperative agreement with Hitotsubashi University begins.
2005 – Kotenseki Sogo Database (Japanese & Chinese Classics Online Database) inaugurated. By 2015, 300,0000 items have been digitized.
– Waseda University Institutional Repository built.
2007 Tsunoda Ryusaku Exhibition and an international symposium are held to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Waseda University.
2009 – Learning Support Committee established, with the aim of helping the Library better support student learning at the University.
– Academic Liaison librarians begin work.
– Student Commons (Learning Commons) installed in the Central Library.
– Cooperative agreement with Kansai University begins.
2010 – A bronze statue of our first director, Ichishima Kenkichi, is installed in the entrance hall of the Central Library.
– Waseda University Library hosts the OCLC 2nd Asia Pacific Regional Council Conference.
2013 – The first Library Week is held. A variety of events, exhibitions, and self-guided tours encourage new students to enjoy using the Library.
– LIVS (Library Volunteer Staff), a student group dedicated to fostering deep familiarity with the Library, is founded.
2016 – The Central Library celebrates its 25th anniversary with special exhibitions, lectures, and virtual-reality tours of emaki (picture scrolls) in the Library’s collection.
2017 – Memorandum signed with Keio University on Strengthening Cooperation by Jointly Adopting an Integrated Library Management System.
– Learning Commons opens at Tokorozawa Library
– Library Learning Assistants (LA) begin work.
– Waseda University Library hosts the OCLC 9th Asia Pacific Regional Council Conference.
2018 – Waseda University Mission Statement decided.
– A major renovation of the Central Library sees new Learning Commons installed.
2019 – New library system (Alma), jointly operated with Keio University, goes into operation.
– Learning Commons opens at Science & Engineering Library.
2020 – A major renovation of the Central Library sees new Learning Commons completed.
– Phased admission resumed following temporary closure due to the spread of Covid-19 infection.
2021 – Waseda-Keio Consortium for the Promotion of Digitization of Japanese Books begins.
2022 – IIIF project begins.

Directors of Waseda University Library

Directors of Tokyo Senmon Gakkou Toshoshitsu Library

 1887.9 – 1889.12 Tetsutaro IMAI
1889.12 – 1890.8 Taichiro ITO
1890.9 – 1891.1 Kakutaro ITAYA
1891.1 – 1895.9 Toshio YAMAZAWA
1895.9 – 1900.3?  Toshio YOSHIDA

Directors of Tokyo Senmon Gakkou Library

1900.3 – 1902.8 Kazutami UKITA
1902.8 – 1902.9 Kenkichi ICHISHIMA

Directors of Waseda University Library

1902.10 – 1917.8 Kenkichi ICHISHIMA
1919.3 – 1923.11 Isoo ABE
1923.11 – 1947.2 Kimio HAYASHI
1947.2 – 1953.3 Chibiki OKAMURA
1953.4 – 1958.10 Minoru HARADA
1958.10 – 1964.9 Jitsuo OONO
1964.10 – 1969.3 Hachiro SASAKI
1969.4 – 1970.7 Tomitaro HIRATA
1970.7 – 1970.11 Minahiko OGINO
1970.11 – 1972.11 Tomitaro HIRATA
1972.11 – 1982.11 Harukaze FURUKAWA
1982.11 – 1986.11 Taizo HAMADA
1986.11 – 1990.9 Takayasu OKUSHIMA
1990.9 – 1994.11 Yoji NOGUCHI
1994.11 – 1998.11 Norio OKAZAWA
1998.11 – 2002.11 Michitaro URAKAWA
2002.11 – 2006.9 Nobuyuki KAMIYA
2006.9 – 2010.9 Tetsuo KATO
2010.9 – 2014.9 Shozo IIJIMA
2014.9 – 2020.9  Yoshiaki FUKAZAWA
2020.9 – Gaye ROWLEY
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