General information
- Q: Is it true that the NDL holds all publications in Japan?
- Q: Can anybody use the NDL?
- Q: Is there any difference between local, university or school libraries and the NDL?
- Q: Do I have to register to use the NDL?
- Q: What services can I use if I register?
- Q: Do you charge for using the NDL?
- Q: What is the service available online?
- Q: Can I take a tour inside the NDL?
- Q: Are all the materials held in the NDL available?
Q: Is it true that the NDL holds all publications in Japan?
A: The NDL Law stipulates that copies of all new publications in Japan must be sent to the NDL under the Legal Deposit System. However, some publications require a long time to be deposited and some have not yet been sent to the NDL. We also collect some foreign publications by purchase and other means.
Q: Can anybody use the NDL?
A: Anybody 18 years of age or older from any nation can visit and use the Tokyo Main Library and the Kansai-kan. People under the age of 18 can also enter the ILCL.
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 the NDL Online Public Access Catalog (NDL-OPAC) or counter staff to search materials, instead browsing through bookshelves directly.
Q: Do I have to register to use the NDL?
A: You do not have to register to search online catalogs and to use materials inside the NDL. You have to be registered, for example, if you wish to request copying services via the Internet.
Q: What services can I use if I register?
A: You can send requests for copying services via the Internet and have the entry procedure simplified. In addition, at the Tokyo Main Library you can order materials held in the Kansai-kan to be sent for you to read in the Tokyo Main Library, or at the Kansai-kan you can order materials held in the Tokyo Main Library or the ILCL to be sent to read in the Kansai-kan. For further information, go to Guidance for User Registration.
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.
Q: What is the service available online?
A: You can search the NDL collections with the NDL-OPAC, etc. In
addition you can read a part of NDL collections in the Online Gallery,
etc. For further information, go to List of Online Services.
Once you register, you can make requests for copying services via the
Internet (copies are sent by postal mail). For further information, go
to User Registration.
Q: Can I take a tour inside the NDL?
A: We offer guided tours at each facility. Please contact each facility for reservation and inquiry.
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-OPAC or contact us by phone before visiting the NDL. There are some services available without visiting the NDL in person.
