Help : Copying without visiting the Library (Remote)

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can I request copies of materials held by the NDL from overseas?
Q: How can I receive copied materials without visiting the Library?
Q: How can I make a request via the Internet?
Q: I would like copies of some articles or photos, but I do not know which materials contain these or the relevant page numbers. Can I apply for the remote copying service?
Q: How long does it take for delivery of copied materials?
Q: Can I use NDL Search to check the status of my copying application?
Q: Rather than by mail, I would like copied material sent to me via email as a PDF. Or can you send it to me via fax?
Q: My copied materials arrived in several separate deliveries. Why is this?

Q: Can I request copies of materials held by the NDL from overseas?
A: You can use our international photoduplication service. For more details, please refer to "Remote photoduplication service for overseas patrons".

Q: How can I receive copied materials without visiting the Library?
A: For materials of the National Diet Library, a remote copying service is available if you can specify the exact location that you want copied (including article name, chapter name, and page number). This enables you to send in an application and receive your copies by airmail without visiting the Library.
*This service is for Registered Users only.
Remote photoduplication service

Q: How can I make a request via the Internet?
A: Please apply for our user registration system beforehand. For more information, please see User Registration.
With the user ID number and the password given to registered users, you can access to the retrieval screens and then to the application screens in the NDL Search. Please refer to the “Remote Photoduplication Service” of NDL Search Help Page to learn how to make photocopy request.

Q: I would like copies of some articles or photos, but I do not know which materials contain these or the relevant page numbers. Can I apply for the remote copying service?
A: When you make a request for the remote copying service, information for specifying materials to be copied and the copy location is necessary. For specific examples of information necessary for specifying the copy location and how to check it, please see “Remote Photoduplication Service” of NDL Search Help Page.
For articles published in periodicals that are listed in the Periodical Index (indexed periodicals), you can search for them in the NDL Search Periodical Index.
You can also confirm the content of the material you wish to copy by using the NDL's reference service (assistance with materials) via a local library. First of all, please inquire with your local library.

Q: How long does it take for delivery of copied materials?
A: Normally, delivery takes about 5 business days after your application is accepted. This does not include the number of days it takes for mail or courier delivery.
However, depending on the application content and status of the materials, it may take longer to deliver. Moreover, you are not able to specify the delivery day.

Q: Rather than by mail, I would like copied material sent to me via email as a PDF. Or can you send it to me via fax?
A: Copies are available by mail or courier only in our service. We do not send them via PDF or fax.

Q: My copied materials arrived in several separate deliveries. Why is this?
A: There are two main reasons, listed below:
Copied materials may have been sent out from the respective holdings of different libraries (the Tokyo Main Library, the Kansai-kan Library, or the International Library of Children's Literature). In the case that multiple copies of an item for which a copying application has been received are kept in the holdings of the Tokyo Main Library, the Kansai-kan Library, and the International Library of Children's Literature, the Kansai-kan Library collection will be used as far as possible. For this reason, the stated location of materials at the time of application may be subject to change later.
For some applications, the Library may need to confirm content and collection details, which may take some days to complete. Copies that are completed earlier will be received earlier.