Ishikawa: New library to open with special exhibition

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:28 JST, February 15, 2022

KANAZAWA — Ishikawa Prefecture will hold a special science exhibition at a new prefectural library in Kanazawa to coincide with the facility’s opening in mid-July, just before the summer school holidays.

The exhibition, in collaboration with the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, will feature dinosaur skeletons among other exhibits. The library will also hold events introducing local food culture and products in a bid to make itself known as an interactive library. Its goal is to attract 1 million visitors annually.

The evolution of living creatures is the theme of the special exhibition. Highlights include replica fossils of prehistoric animals, in addition to the dinosaur bones. The exhibition space will be adorned with large panels featuring illustrations of dinosaurs from a picture book arranged for the show. The panels will comprehensively explain how life on Earth has evolved. Also on the schedule is a speaking event by a staffer from the National Museum of Nature and Science.

“This library has multiple functions for culture and interactions. I hope it will become a new hub for local people in the prefecture to meet and learn more about their home prefecture,” said Ishikawa Gov. Masanori Tanimoto.

After the opening, the library is planning to sell local agricultural products on site and serve dishes using local ingredients at the library’s cafe. A lecture event that introduces food culture of the prefecture is also among the plans.

The prefecture has allocated a budget of ¥32 million for the activities in the initial budget for the new fiscal year starting in April.

The library will organize a second tour of the facility on March 5 and 6, following one it held in December, when there were no books on the shelves. But unlike the December event, the upcoming tour will take place inside after books and chairs have been brought in, so participants will get an early look at what the library will be like. A preview of the children’s section will also take place during the two-day March event.

“We hope to raise the prefectural residents’ expectations for the library,” the governor said.