Robert Gitler and the Japan Library School: An Autobiographical Narrative

The founding, in 1951, of the Japan Library School, now called the School of Library and Information Science, at Keio University, was a development of great significance in the development of librarianship in Japan and a remarkable example of international collaboration. Robert Gitler was a central figure in that important event, and continues to be a key player in the growing field. The present volume is a collection of reminiscences that were recorded, for the most part, between November 1994 and September 1995. An informal reminiscence, this oral history is of interest in its own right and also as a resource that can be drawn upon in the future for more formal historical work. It has been carefully reviewed and revised by the narrator himself, and organized for readability by the editor. Some bio-bibliographical information, a list of bibliographical references, and an index have been added to increase ease of use.

An informal reminiscence, this oral history details events that took place over nearly ninety years. It is of interest in its own right and also as a resource that could be drawn upon in the future for more formal historical work. It has been carefully reviewed and revised by the narrator himself, and organized for readability by the editor. Some bio-bibliographical information, a list of bibliographical references, and an index have been added to increase ease of use.

Library Journal

Oral history is a powerful tool that can help the younger generation understand the development of history. In a collection of reminiscences that were recorded between November 1994 and September 1995, Gitler, a well-known American librarian and library educator, has done a remarkable job of telling his own story, spanning over 90 years and including the history of librarianship and library education in Japan and the United States. Discussing his childhood as the son of a Russian immigrant and his years at Columbia, Rutgers, and the University of California at Berkeley, Gitler also talks about his contributions as a librarian and library educator at various U.S. institutions, including the American Library Association (ALA). He recounts his experiences with ALA's International Relations Committee and encounters with such well-known librarians and library educators as Robert Downs, David Clifford, C.C. Williamson, Isadore Mudge, and Francis Cheney. Gitler comments on the old-boy network in the profession and his own forced retirement years. But the most interesting part of the book focuses on the years in Japan when Gitler was the founding father of the country's first library school. Established in 1951, the Japan Library School, now the School of Library and Information Science at Keio University, was a significant development in international librarianship. This is an excellent record of the library profession in Japan and the United States. Highly recommended for all library school collections and for courses in international librarianship.--R.N. Sharma, West Virginia State Coll. Lib., Institute Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

In his long career in Library and Information Science, Robert Gitler has served as professor, library director, librarian, and consultant, all over the United States and Japan. He currently resides in Oakland, California. Michael Buckland is Professor of Library Science at the University of California, Berkeley, and a former Dean of the same institution.