
A School Building Doubles as a Library, and Students Can't Stay Away

At Osaka International Junior and Senior High School, a unique approach to education intertwines learning and literature. The school, designed to resemble a ship, features bookshelves lining the hallways, making the building itself a library. This innovative layout encourages students to engage with books casually, fostering a culture of reading that sees nearly every student picking up at least one book each year. The library's collection of approximately 20,000 volumes is organized around five thematic categories rather than traditional classifications. This method promotes serendipitous discoveries, allowing students to encounter diverse topics side by side. For instance, a book about Mother Teresa is shelved under a theme related to India, inviting students to explore her work in a broader context. This strategy not only sparks curiosity but also nurtures independent thinking. Programs like the "Book Obi Project" further enhance student engagement, allowing first-year students to design promotional bands for books they borrow. This initiative culminates in a display at the school festival and at a local bookstore, reinforcing the connection between creativity and literature. As students like Hasuha Yoshimura express, the library's inviting atmosphere expands their world, making reading a joyful and enriching experience.
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