The Itabashi Bologna Picture Book Library, Where You can Encounter Picture Books from Around the World!

This is a library of foreign picture books that holds 30,000 volumes in 70 languages, from about 100 countries around the world. Most of the books are donated by the city of Bologna in northern Italy. The exchange between Itabashi Ward and Bologna City began in 1981, when the Bologna International Picture Book Original Drawing Exhibition was held at the Itabashi Art Museum. Since then, the two cities have deepened their exchange through picture books. And, in 2004, the Itabashi Bologna Picture Book Library was opened. In March 2021, the library was relocated to be attached to the newly renovated Itabashi Central Library. It is located in the Itabashi Peace Park, so you can see trees from the large windows. It's like a library in a forest.

There are many sections in the library that incorporate a variety of ideas. In the Baby Picture Books　section, they have a collection of picture books for babies in various languages, so that fathers and mothers of foreign origins - living in Japan - can also enjoy raising their children, using picture books.

There is also a section called Know the World.　This is a collection of picture books published in 101 countries. These include volumes about those countries as well, and each shelf where the picture books are stored is decorated with stickers of the names of the countries, and their flags. Children who visit the library may become interested in various countries and regions, by experiencing the world through picture books.

There is also a section where you can find interactive picture books; pictures pop out or move when you open the book. Many adults may like this as well. Within this section, there is also an exhibition corner where you can take your time viewing volumes on display, as well as a corner where you can actually pick up interactive picture books and look at them.

In this library, there is another interesting section called Picture Book Sets. This section displays both original picture books and their Japanese versions, as well as Japanese picture books and their foreign translations. There are over 4,000 volumes, in a variety of languages; including English, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish. These sets of books are very useful for reading time at the library, because children with different mother tongues can enjoy the same story together. There is also a Picture Book Guide Desk that can recommend picture books, and help you find books.