The original article published in Japanese ( https://current.ndl.go.jp/e2670 )

Current Awareness-E No.474

February 22, 2024

Establishment of “I-Room”: Space for Learning Together about Disasters and Disaster Prevention

 

On November 3, 2023, Iwate Prefectural Library opened the “I-Room.” In this space, users can comprehensively learn about natural disasters as well as disaster prevention and safety. The room aims to support students and groups as they engage in exploratory learning about disasters and disaster prevention. This article introduces the background and circumstances that led to establishment of I-Room.

 

●The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and “Education for Reconstruction in Iwate”

Iwate Prefectural Library opened in 1922 (Taisho 11) in response to a request by Hara Takashi, a great predecessor of Iwate Prefecture welcomed by the people as the “Commoner Prime Minister.” In 2022, the library celebrated its 100th anniversary. Through the changing times of Taisho, Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa periods, many of our predecessors in Iwate Prefecture made great efforts to overcome numerous disasters and difficulties under severe natural environment and social conditions. Such has led to development of local industries and people’s livelihood. We believe that our library is a core facility to pass on the history and culture of Iwate Prefecture to future generations.

On January 1, 2024, the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake occurred. We offer our deepest condolences to the victims and our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected. We pray for the earliest possible recovery and reconstruction. Iwate Prefecture has also suffered from a number of disasters, most notably the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on March 11, 2011. This disaster caused great human and material damage along the Sanriku coast including Iwate Prefecture. Iwate Prefecture has been making steady progress toward reconstruction, making the most of its local strength under much support from Japan and abroad.

It will soon be 13 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. More and more children are now born after the disaster or do not know about the disaster, and there is a concern that the memory of the disaster will fade away. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Iwate Prefecture has been working on its own “Education for Reconstruction in Iwate” through educational activities in each school. This reconstruction education aims to nurture three educational values: “to live,” “to get involved,” and “to prepare.” It intends to develop human resources who support reconstruction and development efforts with love for their hometown. “To live” refers to the importance of life, the state of mind, and how to live in the future. “To get involved” refers to family ties, volunteer activities, support activities in and outside of the prefecture, and community building. “To prepare” refers to disaster prevention based on scientific knowledge and disaster prevention literacy, decision-makings that lead to actions in times of disaster, and daily preparedness at home and in the community.

Iwate Prefectural Library had also faced the need to prepare a space to support group learning, comprehensively utilizing a wide range of resources including books, newspapers, magazines, and audiovisual materials. There was also growing awareness of the importance of passing down the lessons learned from earthquake and tsunami to future generations as well as preparing for disasters on a regular basis based on lessons learned. These background and circumstances led to the establishment of I-Room.

 

●Introduction of I-Room

The name “I-Room” is derived from a variety of “I” (pronounced as ai in Japanese language). This includes “manabi-ai (learning together)”, “de-ai (encounter)”, and “I”wate Prefecture filled with “ai (love).” The primary purpose of I-Room is to support learnings and explorations by students and groups on current issues including recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami as well as disaster prevention. We intend to further promote education on reconstruction and disaster preparedness using I-Room as the information center for learning comprehensively about natural disasters and disaster prevention. In partnership with facilities related to earthquake and tsunami along the coastal areas of Iwate Prefecture, we will host exhibits on disasters and disaster prevention in I-Room, and introduce features of each facility. By doing so, we intend to function as a gateway, stimulating interest to the facilities in coastal areas and encouraging visits.

I-Room (open shelves) houses approximately 10,000 items including 3,000 books related to the Great East Japan Earthquake, 500 books related to natural disasters, 600 books related to disaster prevention, as well as 6,000 flyers and other materials distributed by municipal governments, organizations, and nonprofit organizations in Iwate Prefecture immediately after the disaster. Including other materials in closed shelves, the library has a total of approximately 34,000 items related to disasters and disaster prevention. While it is usually the manner to refrain from talking in the library, students and groups can speak up, talk, discuss, and exchange ideas in I-Room. For schools and groups, the library offers a package of materials for borrowing. Library staff also offer assistance in presentation and search of materials. Bookshelves, desks, and chairs are made of wood locally produced within the prefecture, creating a relaxing space with a sense of warmth.

 

●Outlook for the Future

Four months has passed since the opening of I-Room. Junior high students from Iwate Prefecture have made presentations on what they have learned from exploratory learning in I-Room. We have also hosted a lecture on “phase-free,” a new idea of disaster prevention to eliminate barriers between everyday lives and emergencies. So far, we feel that I-Room is gradually gaining recognition among citizens in Iwate Prefecture.

In the future, the library will support exploratory learning for “Education for Reconstruction in Iwate” through I-Room among elementary, junior high, and high school students as well as students in special support schools. We will also utilize I-Room as a place where students visiting Iwate Prefecture on educational tours can learn.

Furthermore, we hope to contribute to promoting more visitors to the region and to prevent the disaster from fading away. We intend to do so by introducing facilities related to earthquake and tsunami in the coastal areas and through hosting exhibitions in cooperation with these facilities. By utilizing I-Room, we will pass on the lessons learned from the disaster to the future and to contribute to reconstruction efforts.

Written by Kikuchi Sachio
Iwate Prefectural Library

Translated by Okada Aya

*Notes are not translated and remain in Japanese language.

Ref:
“震災・防災の学び合いスペース「I-ルーム」の開設について”. 岩手県立図書館. 2023-11-20.
https://www.library.pref.iwate.jp/info/announce/20231103_i-roomopen.html
“岩手県立図書館と原敬”. 岩手県立図書館. 2020-01-27.
https://www.library.pref.iwate.jp/aboutus/history/19211119.html