Help : Services
Frequently asked questions
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- Q
- Can anybody use the NDL?
- A
- Tokyo Main Library & Kansai-kan Library
- Anybody 18 years of age or older from any nation can visit and use the Tokyo Main Library and
the Kansai-kan. User registration is required for use of materials in the closed stacks. For more
information, please refer to the section on User Registration.
Persons below 18 years of age who wish to use the Library's collections should refer to: "How can persons below 18 years of age use the Library?"
- International Library of Children's Literature
- Anybody can use the International Library of Children's Literature. There is no age
restriction. (Admission procedures are required to enter the Materials Room).
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- Q
- How can persons below 18 years of age use the Library?
- A
- Tokyo Main Library & Kansai-kan Library
- As a general rule, anyone aged 18 or over can use the collections of the Tokyo Main Library and
the Kansai-kan Library. This age restriction is because young persons below 18 years of age in many cases
will be able to achieve their research/study aims using local school libraries or public libraries, and we
have limited facilities and personnel.
However, if it is recognized that they may find it difficult to accomplish their research/study aims without
using the Library's collections, or in certain other specific circumstances, use of the NDL may be
available after following the prescribed procedures.
Please contact us in advance using the contact details given below.
- Tokyo Main Library
Service Administration Division, Reader Services and Collections Department
E-mail: saunka-web
- Kansai-kan
Public Services Division
E-mail: k-gdance
- International Library of Children's Literature
- Persons below 18 years of age are able to use the International Library of Children's
Literature, which specializes in children's books.
However, certain procedures are required to enter the Researchers' Reading Room.
Please contact us for more information, using the contact details given below.
- International Library of Children's Literature
Resources and Information Division
E-mail: shijo-ilcl
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- Q
- Are all the materials held in the NDL available?
- A
- Collections and conditions of use differ from
facility to facility of the NDL. We also set limitations on access to some particular materials to which you
cannot access without prior arrangement. We recommend you to search in advance on the NDL Search before visiting the NDL.
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- Q
- Do you charge for using the NDL?
- A
- Admission, reading materials, registration, etc. is free of charge, but you need to pay for the
actual costs of copying.
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- Q
- Is there any difference between local, university or school libraries
and the NDL?
- A
- The main difference is that there are some restrictions to using our materials because the NDL
is responsible for preserving its collections to hand them over to future generations. For example, the
materials are not loaned out to individuals. Almost all the collections are stored in stacks, so users are
requested to consult online catalogs such as NDL Search or counter staff to search materials, instead
browsing through bookshelves directly.
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- Q
- How can I use the Library to best advantage?
- A
- Most of the Library's collections are stored in closed stacks, and you will not be able to
see these items on the bookshelves directly. Because visitors will need to find items using NDL Search etc.
before requesting them, it is more efficient to search for materials in advance before visiting the Library.
Please refer to: "Should I look up anything before visiting
the Library?"
After requesting to read materials or applying for copied materials, it may take some time before you are
able to read these materials or receive your copied materials. Please ensure you leave ample time when
visiting. The Library is often relatively empty in the morning.
Several services are also available
without visiting the Library, such as remote copying services and use of databases available via the
Internet. For more information, please refer to: "Using services
without visiting the Library."
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