The word Bunko means a home library, usually supported by volunteer mothers, where a room full of books is open to neighbourhood children to come and read. In 1950s a few Bunkos started in Tokyo, as children’s books and public libraries were scarce in post-war Japan. Eventually in 1974 four of those Bunkos formed Tokyo Children’s Library, and has served as a children’s library center since then. In 2010 it was acknowledged as a public interest incorporated foundation by the Cabinet Office. Though it is quite hard to run such organization with no governmental budget, it supports itself with donation and raised fund.
