• Characteristics of users
  1. What is your purpose in visiting the NDL? How often do you come?
  2. Which libraries do you use most?
  3. Are you a registered user?
• Degree of satisfaction and needs for improvements in our services
  1. How do you rate your degree of satisfaction in general?
  2. How do you rate your degree of satisfaction with each of the services specified below? What improvements to the NDL services would you like to see most?
• Conclusion

1. What is your purpose in visiting the NDL? How often do you come?

As well as the answers of the last two surveys in FY2003 and FY2005, "Academic research (writing articles, etc.)" "General research, hobby & cultural interests," and "Business" are major purposes for visiting the Tokyo Main Library. In the Kansai-kan, "Seeing facilities" decreased further than the last survey where this purpose had been already on a decline. On the other hand, "Academic research (writing articles, etc.)" and "General research, hobby & cultural interests" exceeded 80%. In the ILCL, "Accompanying children" increased to 30% from 20% of the last survey.

As to frequency of visits, 60% of the Tokyo Main Library users visit the library more than once a month. On the other hand, in both the Kansai-kan and the ILCL, the share of "First time" users has not decreased yet and occupied 30% and 70% respectively.

Figure 1. Purpose of visiting the NDL

Note: Totals are over 100% because multiple answers were allowed.

Figure 2. Frequency of visits to the NDL

2.Which libraries do you use most?

Nearly 40% of the respondents of the Tokyo Main Library and 30% of the Kansai-kan chose the Tokyo Main Library and the Kansai-kan respectively as the library they visit most frequently.

Although the NDL adopts a closed-stack system, 30-40% answered that they used the NDL most. The reason seems to be its vast collections supported by the Legal Deposit System.

Meanwhile, the ILCL is not a general library but a special one holding unique collections. Therefore a very small number of respondents visit the ILCL most and about 70% use prefectural or municipal libraries most.

Figure3. Most frequently used library

Note: Totals are over 100% because multiple answers were allowed.

3.Are you a registered user?

Compared with the survey of FY2005, the ratio of registered users slightly increased in both the Tokyo Main Library and the Kansai-kan, becoming about 60% and 50% respectively. The ratio of users who did not know about the registration system itself decreased.

Figure 4. Utilization of the registration system