The National Diet Library (NDL) is remodeling the Tokyo Main Library
to start its new library services from October 2004. The services
in the Tokyo Main Library are outlined as follows:
Reform of the service
system
The NDL plans to extend its opening days and hours. To provide
more convenient services, the NDL will fully adopt the registration system.
The system is now partly available; for example, registered users can request
copying service via the NDL website. Early registration is recommended.
Provision of systematized
service
Using the registered user's library card, you will be able to search
and request materials through the NDL-OPAC terminals in the catalog halls
where 170 NDL-OPAC terminals will be placed. The card will also make
it easier to request copying service, receive and return library materials.
Thus, a number of procedures in the llibrary will become easier and quicker
from October 2004.
Expanding provision of
electronic journals and reorganization of special materials room
About 7,000 titles of online foreign journals including back numbers
will be available (1,400 titles at present). The Electronic Resources
Room will be expanded to function as the service center of electronic resources.
The NDL is reorganizing special materials rooms into:
-
Parliamentary Documents and Official Publications Room (opens December
2003)
-
Business, Science and Technology Room
-
Humanities Room
-
Modern Japanese Political History Materials Room
-
Electronic Resources Room
-
Rare Books and Old Materials Room
-
Map Room
-
Audiovisual Materials Room
-
Newspaper Reading Room
The reorganization is based on subject or characteristic collections to
provide more convenient user oriented services. Each room provides
electronic information on its subject and enhances reference services by
helping readers find useful internet sites.
Facilities renovation
and relocation of service space
The facilities of the Tokyo Main Library need some improvements to
adjust to the current IT environment. We plan to upgrade the
LAN facilities during the remodeling. The reading rooms and
other spaces for users will be renovated and relocated by Spring
2004.
The second floor of the Main Building will be fully devoted to library
users. The facilities on the second floor of the Main Building will
be:
Business, Science and Technology Room
Humanities Room
Entrance
Catalog hall for books
Information Desk
Book Counter
Copy Center
The east side of the Annex will be for readers as before, but the arrangement
will change as follows:
-
4th floor Newspaper Reading Room
-
3rd floor Parliamentary Documents and Official Publications
Room
-
2nd floor Catalog Hall for periodicals, Periodical counter
-
1st floor Electronic Resources Room, Audiovisual Materials
Room
In addition, the reading desks and aisles in the reading rooms will be
wider so that people can read in a comfortable atmosphere.
Guarantee of access to the
Kansai-kan materials
At present, we offer remote copying services to and receive inter-site
requests from Tokyo Main Library visitors who need Kansai-kan materials.
Those services will be continued, but there might be some changes in conjunction
with other services such as promoting requests through NDL-OPAC or expansion
of electronic journals provision.
The NDL will launch the above new services in October 2004. We
hope that you will understand our plan and be willing to put up with some
inconveniences caused by the renovation works. |
