Differentiate Your Research Through Libraries!

When conducting research, I recommend using a combination of the internet and books.

Here is an overview of the research process (↓)

Today, I would like to talk a little about research using books, specifically about some lesser-known ways to utilize libraries.

Incredible Collection Size: The Hidden Power of Libraries

Do you ever go to your local library and think, 'They don't have the book I want. This place is underwhelming'?

In reality, local libraries are connected through a network, and you can request books from other branches.

For example, in my hometown of Kawasaki, about 10 libraries work together, and combined, they have a collection of about 2 million books! That is an incredible number, comparable to one of the largest bookstores in Japan.

In neighboring Yokohama, there are, believe it or not, about 4 million books. It's so many that you could say it's the largest in Japan! You couldn't finish reading them all in a lifetime!

Libraries Show Their True Power Through Online Searching and Reservations!

If you only look at the library shelves, the number of books seems small, and you can hardly find any new releases. However, when you search on the library's website, you will be surprised at how many books you can find.

Find Books Not Available in Bookstores! The Positioning of Libraries

Libraries and bookstores do not directly compete. If you organize their positioning, you can see how they divide their roles like this.

Regular bookstores mainly stock popular new releases. Older or less flashy books don't sell well, so as a business decision, that's understandable.

On the other hand, libraries have the role of collecting and stocking books over the long term. From new books to old ones, even obscure books that you might wonder who would read are carefully stocked. This is what makes libraries amazing.

You Can Also Understand World Trends by Monitoring New Releases

Libraries regularly acquire new books, known as new arrivals. There is a new arrivals section in libraries, but in fact, many books never make it to the shelves. Because they are checked out to people who reserved them, popular books don't end up on the shelves.

So, how do you find new books?

Utilize the new arrival notification email service on the library's website. You need to register in advance, but you will receive an email every day with a list of new books that match your criteria.

Register your email address and book genres. Since book genres are represented by three-digit numbers (NDC), you can select them in broad categories by specifying the first digit (0-9) of the hundreds place.

It is my daily routine to look through the list of new library arrivals. A strange hobby, I know. It helps me understand global trends. Sometimes I find catchy keywords from book titles. It is a study in copywriting.

Today, I discussed a little-known way to utilize the library. See you later.