Book of Librarians’ Answers to Questions about Life Becomes Bestseller

Shari, Hokkaido, Oct. 15 (Jiji Press)–A Japanese book of librarians’ answers to library visitors’ questions has become a bestseller for its playful approach. The book, titled “Toshokan no Yuruyuru Jinsei Shitsumonbako” (Library’s casual life questions box), was twice reprinted in the three months since its release in March. The question box for junior and senior high school students has been at Shari Town Library in the northernmost Japan prefecture of Hokkaido since July 2023. Librarians’ answers to questions from students are displayed on the library’s bulletin board. About 700 anonymous questions have been put in the box. To the question, “What is life?” a librarian said, “It may be a series of reactions,” explaining that “your reaction to daily events will decide what comes next, and life is a series of these.” The librarian continues, “In a series of reactions, a clever performance is welcomed. So, it can be said that everyone is a reaction comedian in a way.” On the difference of “loving” and “being interested in” someone, a librarian said that “finding someone to be interested in means that you’ve found a box of treasure,” encouraging the asker to “take action and see what’s inside the box.” “The box may contain many kinds of treasure, and it is you who must choose which kinds of ‘like’ or ‘love’ you want to take from it,” adding, “By the way, the box is sometimes empty.” Library director Takuya Matsui said that he installed the question box in order to allow students to encounter various ways of thinking. “The modern day, dominated by social media, seems to provide us with many choices, but we can easily become focused on similar ideas,” Matsui said. “The library wants to present multiple opinions and offer different points of view.” The book’s editor said that the book has become popular because people were moved by the warmth of the interaction between students and librarians. The book is particularly popular among people in their 20s to 40s. “I think the book offers friendly life advice to people with modern-day life worries,” the editor said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]