Library and Information Science

The final purpose of this study is to improve the acoustic environment in libraries and to construct models of the desirable acousitc environment in libraries, based on the theory of soundscape and soundscape design. As an initial step, the author investigated the existing acoustic environment of the libraries and the acoustic environmental awareness of librarians by questionnaire on the public libraries in 11 prefectures (Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Aichi, Osaka, Kyoto, Shiga, Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Okinawa).

The results of the survey of the public libraries in 11 prefectures are discussed from the following points: (1) the desirable acoustic environment of libraries, (2) the sound from the outside of the libraries, (3) the acoustic environment of the inside of the libraries, and (4) the environmental music in the libraries.

The comparative analyses of the libraries in each prefecture clarify that the environmental music is applied and the acoustic environment is positively considered in many libraries at Shiga-ken and Hokkaido compared to other prefecutures.