University of Tsukuba Library Volunteer was launched in 1995, and this year marks its 30th anniversary.
To commemorate this, a ceremony was held at the Media Hall of Union of Library and Information-media Studios in Kasuga Area on Monday, June 2, 2025.

The library volunteer program was established with the aim of providing services to users of the library of their own volition as part of lifelong learning. Over the last 30 years, more than 200 people have been involved.

The ceremony was attended by 53 people, including volunteers, faculty and staff from both inside and outside the university, and other related parties. Following the opening remarks from the organizer, University Librarian Nishio Chizuru, President Nagata Kyosuke gave a congratulatory speech, in which he touched upon the history of the library volunteers and expressed his gratitude for their contributions. He also stated that for the University of Tsukuba, which aims to be a "University with Future Visions" and to lead social change through the results of research and education, it is essential to have a strong library, which serves as the foundation. He finally expressed his expectation that the volunteers will make use of their knowledge and experience to contribute to society at large.

Afterwards, a letter of appreciation and a commemorative gift were presented to the University of Tsukuba Library Volunteer Association, also known as "Zu-bora no Kai."

At the commemorative lecture, Professor Emeritus Nakayama Shin-ichi of our university gave a lecture titled "Volunteers at University Library."
After confirming the positioning and significance of volunteer activities at university libraries, which were the first of their kind in the country, the professor posed the question, "What is a volunteer?" and offered encouragement for the future, saying that both "cognitive enjoyment" and "emotional enjoyment" are important for continuing the activity.

At the gathering that followed, faculty, staff, and new and old volunteers mingled, spending time together invigorating their future activities.