Osaka City Children's Reading Forum Fiscal Year 2026 - September 2

Osaka City Children's Reading Forum Fiscal Year 2026 - September 2 Central Overview Osaka City Central Library, based on the "Fifth Osaka City Children's Reading Promotion Plan," will hold the "Osaka City Children's Reading Forum" to share information about children's reading activities and promote and raise awareness widely. As a symbol event for promoting children's reading activities, the forum will confirm progress on the plan, introduce reference cases and advanced initiatives, and raise momentum and interest in children's reading activities throughout Osaka City. In fiscal year 2026, as a venue for considering reading promotion for teenagers, the forum will be held under the theme "Hints for Narrowing the Distance Between Teenagers and Reading - Supporting Reading Opportunities at Home, School, Library, and Community." Date and Time Wednesday, September 2, 2026 (Reiwa 8), 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Doors open at 2:30 p.m.) Venue 5th Floor Large Conference Room, Osaka City Central Library Capacity 300 people (advance registration, first-come-first-served basis) Application Method Please apply through the Osaka City Administrative Online System (from Saturday, August 1, 2026). If it is difficult for you to apply through the Osaka City Administrative Online System, telephone applications are also available. For inquiries regarding applications, please contact the "Inquiries" section below. Application Period From Saturday, August 1, 2026 to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (Note) If capacity is not reached, same-day participation will also be accepted. Fee Free Sign Language Interpretation If desired, by Wednesday, August 19, 2026, please clearly state your name, contact information, and "sign language interpretation requested" and apply via fax (06-6539-3335) or through the Osaka City Administrative Online System (from Saturday, August 1, 2026). If you do not have a fax machine or cannot apply through the Osaka City Administrative Online System, please visit Osaka City Central Library to apply. (Excluding closed days; weekdays 9:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) Program Status report on each initiative of the "Fourth Osaka City Children's Reading Promotion Plan" Overview introduction of the "Fifth Osaka City Children's Reading Promotion Plan" Lecture "About Reading Decline Among Teenagers" Lecturer: Norio Kataoka (The Japan Library Association) Content: Regarding reading decline among teenagers, based on the current situation, Mr. Kataoka will introduce cases and hints toward solutions. He will speak based on his practical experience in school libraries, including "trial reading" that creates encounters between diverse books and diverse students, and inquiry-based learning using libraries. Case Report "About Tomobuchi Junior High School's 'Picture Book Plaza' Initiative" Presenters: Aoi Fukumoto (Teacher, Osaka City Tomobuchi Junior High School), Tae Takagaki (Tomobuchi Junior High School Genki-Up Community Headquarters, Community Coordinator) Content: Through books with few words and photo collections, students will learn about the "Picture Book Plaza" and other initiatives that provide opportunities for students to relax and encounter books, including how the initiative started, how it is being conducted, student participation status, and changes in students' perspectives on reading. Panel Discussion Panelists: Norio Kataoka (The Japan Library Association), Toshie Nakanishi (Professor, Kobe Tokiwa University), Aoi Fukumoto (Teacher, Osaka City Tomobuchi Junior High School), Tae Takagaki (Tomobuchi Junior High School Genki-Up Community Headquarters, Community Coordinator)