Takeo City Library and Historical Museum Wins 2013 Good Design Award

2013.10.01 Press Releases
Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. Library Company

-Selected as a special award candidate for the "Good Design Best 100"-

We are pleased to announce that Takeo City Library and Historical Museum (5304-1 Takeo, Takeo-cho, Takeo City, Saga Prefecture), which was planned by Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as CCC) and Takeo City and reopened after renovations on April 1, 2013, has won the 2013 Good Design Award (sponsored by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion), and has also been selected as a special award candidate for the Good Design Best 100. 　

Takeo City Library and Historical Museum is a new type of library that was realized based on the "New Library Concept," which designs a new lifestyle for citizens by proposing a "library-centered civic life."

This new library is not bound by the traditional image of a library as a place for storing materials and lending books, but instead combines a library, bookstore, and cafe.In an age where personal values are becoming more diverse, this new library is a new place where citizens with various lifestyles can find their place, whether they are enjoying a cup of coffee while reading books in the library, or studying, working, or chatting, and it is creating a new community. Additionally, we have introduced new systems for book shelving, lending, and searching that utilize the know-how of CCCs, including Daikanyama T-SITE. In the six months since its reopening, the museum has welcomed over 519,000 visitors, roughly double the number of visitors in the entire year of the previous year.

In receiving the Good Design Award, the company commented, "This is an example that overturns the common sense that public services should only be at this level. In the traditional and conservative field of libraries, we are returning to our roots of conveying the joy of books, and are thoroughly pursuing ease of searching, enjoyment of reading, and ease of use through public-private collaboration. In today's world where people are increasingly turning away from books, these libraries play an important role in enhancing the cultural level of the region, suggesting great potential for collaboration between the public and private sectors. "We have received the following positive feedback.

Based on the concept of "proposing a library-centered lifestyle for citizens," Takeo City Library and Historical Museum will continue to reflect the voices of visitors and users and innovate as a library of high value to citizens.

*Today, we have issued a separate press release reporting on usage of the Takeo City Library and Historical Museum six months after its opening, so please refer to that news release as well. (http://www.ccc.co.jp)

(Reference material)
The Takeo City Library and Historical Museum will be featured at the Good Design Award winning exhibition, Good Design Exhibition 2013.
The Takeo City Library and Historical Museum will be exhibited as this year's award-winning design at the Good Design Exhibition 2013, which will be held at Tokyo Midtown from Wednesday, October 30th.

[Good Design Exhibition 2013]
Dates: Wednesday, October 30th - Monday, November 4th (national holiday)
Venue: Tokyo Midtown (Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Organized by: Japan Institute of Design Promotion

■What is the Good Design Award?
The Good Design Award is Japan's only comprehensive design evaluation and recommendation program, originating from the Good Design Product Selection System established in 1957. For over 55 years, the program has been running as a movement to improve Japanese industry and lifestyles through design, with a total of more than 39,000 awards received. Today, it is a global design award with participation from many companies and organizations both in Japan and overseas. The "G Mark," the symbol of a Good Design Award recipient, is widely known as a symbol of excellent design.

Materials related to this matter

Takeo City Library and Historical Museum Wins 2013 Good Design Award

Inquiries regarding this matter
Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. Library Company　
Public Relations: TEL: 03-6800-4764 (Contact: Yuta Takahashi)