NDL International Services

International Interlibrary Loan Service The National Diet Library lends books from its collections to overseas libraries and research institutions, not to individuals, though the materials that can be lent are restricted to rather narrow categories. The following are not available for loan:

• Rare and precious materials, deposited documents, reference books, pamphlets, serial publications, audio/visual records, and microforms
• Materials difficult to transfer, and materials liable to loss or damage
• Materials which the Librarian considers it improper to lend

The number of volumes to be lent is ten or fewer including unreturned volumes, and the period of loan is a maximum of one month exclusive of the time required for transportation.

Libraries that wish to borrow materials are requested to fill in the form, NDL Request Form for Loan/Photoduplication, and forward it to the following address:

Library Cooperation Department
National Diet Library
1-10-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8924, JAPAN

Materials to be lent will be sent by registered mail at the expense of the NDL.

Borrowed materials should be returned by registered mail at the expense of the borrowing library. In returning the materials, the borrowing library is required to follow the directions set forth by the NDL with regard to packaging, etc. Borrowed materials are to be used only inside the library, and are not to be copied.

When the borrowing library fails to receive an item or receives it in damaged condition, or discovers loss or damage while in its keeping or when about to return it to the NDL, the library is asked to immediately notify the NDL.

When a borrowed material is lost or damaged between the time of receipt and return, the borrowing library is asked to provide the NDL with an appropriate replacement copy or make compensation for the loss or damage in accordance with the policy of the NDL.

The guide and NDL request forms will be sent on application. Please write to the above address.

International Photocopy Service

The National Diet Library offers photocopy service to libraries and individuals. We will provide photoduplicate copies of items in its collections but in principle, only of parts of each item. Requests for photoduplication of copyrighted publications are accepted when the written permission of the copyright holder accompanies the request, or when only one copy of part of any publication is wanted for private study for purposes of research, without any intention to publish it or to profit by it.

The applicant is requested to fill in the same form with that of interlibrary loan service, and forward it to the address above.

Those who wish to obtain photoduplicate copies of rare books or the whole of any publication are requested to write to the National Diet Library in advance for permission.

Photocopying of any items in our rare book collection is not permitted.

The charges must be paid in Japanese Yen by International Postal Money Order, Banker's Transfer or Bank Draft payable in Tokyo upon receipt of the Invoice which will be sent to the applicant after the forwarding of a photocopy.

Rate schedule as well as the guide and NDL request forms will be sent. Please write to the above address.

International Reference Service

The National Diet Library offers reference service to libraries and individuals.

The NDL does not accept reference inquiries seeking appraisal of old archival documents, objects of fine art, etc., legal and medical consultations, reading of written records, translation, making bibliographies covering all kinds of information, assistance in school assignments and information on matters that are considered inappropriate for the NDL to give.

Applications should be made in written form. There is no standard form.