Public libraries are important community resources across Japan, but while English is taught from fifth grade, those hoping to find a ready stash of English-language reading material may be disappointed. Thanks to the efforts of two men passionate about the power and potential of books, however, Iwakura Public Library in Kyoto boasts a collection that would be the envy of libraries twice its size. The small library, located in Sakyo-ku on the northern side of the city, has a total of 57,000 books, more than 1,500 of which are in English.

Things weren't always like this. When Australian Matthew Claflin, an associate professor at Kyoto Sangyo University, started visiting the library with his young son five years ago, he was disappointed with the English offerings. "All they had were a few reference books and some ancient children's readers from (British publisher) Ladybird."

Considering that children and their parents make up a large proportion of library patrons, Claflin was surprised at this state of affairs. "Libraries have a good selection of material for math, science, social studies and the other subjects children study at school in Japan. So why not English books?"