Help : Reading materials

Frequently asked questions

Q: Where should I read materials in the Library?
Q: Can I borrow and take home materials? Can I bring materials outside the Library?
Q: I am still using some materials, but I would like to go and get something from my locker. What should I do?
Q: Are there maps of residential areas in the collections? Can I use these?
Q: Are there old newspapers in the collections? Can I use these?
Q: Are there textbooks in the collections? Can I use these?
Q: Are there dictionaries (Japanese or foreign) in the collections? Can I use these?
Q: I would like to read an original document that has been completely digitized.
Q: I would like to read a CD-ROM etc. on a computer that I have brought in.
Q: How many days after publication is a book ready for reader services?
Q: Why does it take so long after material is published for it to become available for use in the Library?
Q: Where should I return materials?

Q: Where should I read materials in the Library?
A: Tokyo Main Library; You can read materials in a nearby Reading Rooms.
During busy times, browsing materials while seated at a user terminal will inconvenience others who wish to use the user terminal. Please refrain from doing this.; Kansai-kan Library; You can read materials in the Reading Room. You may not read materials in the 4th floor cafeteria.

Q: Can I borrow and take home materials? Can I bring materials outside the Library?
A: The collections of the National Diet Library are not to be lent out to any individuals. Please use these materials in the Library.

Q: I am still using some materials, but I would like to go and get something from my locker. What should I do?
A: Tokyo Main Library; Please inquire at the Entrance Counter in either the Main Building or the Annex.; Kansai-kan Library; Please inquire at the Entrance Counter.

Q: Are there maps of residential areas in the collections? Can I use these?
A: Tokyo Main Library; The Library's collections include residential area maps from across the entire country. The age of these holdings varies depending on the region, but the collections includes old maps from the 1960s (the 23 wards of Tokyo) and the 1970s (other regions).
These materials are not available for external lending and cannot be mailed as copies or ordered into the Kansai-kan Library. Please either read these or use the copying services at the Tokyo Main Library.; Kansai-kan Library; The Kansai-kan Library does not have any residential area maps in its collection.

Q: Are there old newspapers in the collections? Can I use these?
A: There are old newspapers in the collections; however, some titles are missing from the collections. Many back issues of old newspapers are also missing. These materials are available for reading or copying as microfilm or facsimile editions.

Q: Are there textbooks in the collections? Can I use these?
A: Japanese textbooks have been acquired starting from fiscal year 2002 (fiscal year 2003 for high school textbooks), and these are available in the International Library of Children's Literature. Essentially, the collection does not include any earlier textbooks than this.

Q: Are there dictionaries (Japanese or foreign) in the collections? Can I use these?
A: Tokyo Main Library; The latest editions of the most common foreign language dictionaries (including regular dictionaries, Chinese character dictionaries, encyclopedias, and English-Japanese dictionaries) are available in the Humanities Room on the 2nd floor of the Tokyo Main Library.
However, older editions and dictionaries for limited specialist fields such as law and economics are housed in the closed stacks or other Special Materials Rooms. Please check NDL Search for details.; Kansai-kan Library; These are available in the General Collections Room.

Q: I would like to read an original document that has been completely digitized.
A: In order to preserve the original documents, we ask that you read any digitized materials on a digital screen.

Q: I would like to read a CD-ROM etc. on a computer that I have brought in.
A: Tokyo Main Library; Materials such as CD-ROMs from the Library's collections are available for use only on the equipment in the Special Materials Rooms that houses those materials.; Kansai-kan Library; Materials such as CD-ROMs from the Library's collections are available for use only on the equipment installed in the Reading Room.

Q: How many days after publication is a book ready for reader services?
A: The Library cannot give unconditional answers about how long it takes after publishing for materials to be deposited in the Library. For books published in Japan, it generally takes about 40-50 days from deposit to commencement of applications for use in the NDL Search.

Q: Why does it take so long after material is published for it to become available for use in the Library?
A: There are two main reasons it takes time for materials to become available for use. 1) It can take a while for books to be deposited at the Library after publishing; and 2) it takes a certain amount of time after receiving the book to create its bibliographic data.

Q: Where should I return materials?
A: Tokyo Main Library; Please return materials to the counter where you borrowed them.; Kansai-kan Library; Please return materials to the counter where you borrowed them. Place the materials on the designated return shelf in the Reading Room.