Kawasaki City Nakahara Library

Kawasaki City Nakahara library (川崎市立中原図書館)  is close to Musashi Kosugi station.  It's less than 5 minute walk from the station.  Like most public facilities are far from the railway station.  Close to the station is a good point.

However, Nakahara library's buildings are very old and small.  Aisles between book shelves are very narrow.  There is no space to sit and read books comfortably.  Users have to stand there reading newspapers near bathroom.  It's stinky when it rains.  The building is old, the bathroom is also old.  It's annoying.

The left picture is a wonder sign near newspaper corner.  The sign says:

"Please use the stairs seat.  Reading space is not enough.  We apologize for the inconvenience but would greatly appreciate your cooperation."

It's certainly a great idea, but I wonder why I cannot help being in sombre mood.  The staff works hard in the limited facilities.

The left picture is the stairs seat the sign says.  It's down stairs.  Um.  It's like Greek amphitheater.  I couldn't take any picture when somebody sat down there.  Camera shutter sound would have disturbed them.  Because the stairs seat was often occupied, there were few chances.

Study room belongs in another building.  Nakahara library has two small buildings.  One is for bookcases.  Another is for study room.  It's inconvenient that users cannot take books to the study room without checking out.  In fact, if it rains, users cannot move without getting wet.  Users cannot sit and study next to piling up relevant books from bookshelves because there aren't any desks and chairs.  Despite those inconvenience, the study room is often occupied as well as the stair seat.  Nakahara library has no advantage over other city libraries but there are many users.  Stick to it whenever narrow curcumstances, Nakahara library.

Fortunately, the new library will open in 2012 instead of current one accordance with redevelopment of Musashi Kosugi station area.  You can see the strange stair seat until 2012.