First, set the user card in the holder of an NDL-OPAC (online catalog) terminal. Search the material and make requests from the NDL-OPAC. When you leave the terminal, take the user card out. Requests must be made no later than 18:00 (16:00 on Saturday).

You can search library materials using the NDL-OPAC available on this website, too.

If the book you are looking for is one of a series with the same title, you must indicate its volume number when requesting it.

To enable the greatest number of visitors to enjoy library services, we set a limit on the number of books a visitor can receive at one time. For details, please ask at the General Information Desk. You can request up to three titles of books including the ones you are waiting for.

If the materials you are looking for are not included in the NDL-OPAC, use various tools provided in the library (card catalogs, book catalogs, etc.) and make requests with call-slips. For details, please ask at the General Information Desk.

Requested materials arrive at the Book Counter in 20-30 minutes (longer at busier times). The monitor at the Book Counter will show your user card number when the requested material arrives. You can check the status of your requests on the NDL-OPAC in the library. When you see your user card number on the monitor, come to the Book Counter and show your user card to receive the books. Please read the book(s) in one of the reading rooms.

You can copy library materials within the limits of the Copyright Law of Japan (copy charge). Please produce a request form and submit it to the Copying Center. Please see Photoduplication Service for the details of the procedure.

All books must be returned to the Book Counter by 19:00 (17:00 on Saturday). Please show your user card when returning the book.

Library materials cannot be taken outside the library building.

First, set the user card in the holder of an NDL-OPAC (online catalog) terminal. Search the material and make requests from the NDL-OPAC. When you leave the terminal, take the user card out. Requests must be made no later than 18:00 (16:00 on Saturday).

You can search library materials using NDL-OPAC available on this website, too.

When making requests, you need to indicate the volume number or publication year/month. Please note, however, that NDL-OPAC may not be able to return search results if you enter the publication year and volume number in the "General Materials (Basic)" search.
If you are not sure of the number and date, please inquire at the General Information Desk on the second floor of the Annex Building.

To enable the greatest number of visitors to enjoy library services, we set a limit on the number of periodicals a visitor can receive at one time. For details, please ask at the General Information Desk. You can request up to three titles of periodicals including the ones you are waiting for.

Please note that most periodicals in western languages (including those published in Japan) are held in the Kasai-kan though some titles are available in the Tokyo Main Library in electronic form. Please check the list of electronic journals (in Japanese).

For searching and requesting periodicals, please refer to the following pamphlet distributed in the Library.

• How to use periodicals (PDF:211KB)

Requested materials arrive at the Periodicals Counter in 20-30 minutes (longer at busier times). The monitor at the Periodicals Counter will show your user card number when the requested material arrives. You can check the status of your requests on the NDL-OPAC in the library. When you see your user card number on the monitor, come to the Periodicals Counter and show your user card to receive the material. Please read the periodicals in one of the reading rooms.

You can copy library materials within the limits of the Copyright Law of Japan (copy charge). Please produce a request form and request at the Copying Center. Please see Photoduplication Service for the details of the procedure.

All periodicals must be returned to the Periodicals Counter by 19:00 (17:00 on Saturday). Please show your user card at the Counter when returning them.

Library materials cannot be taken outside the library building

The procedures for requesting and receiving special materials, such as newspapers and phonographic records, differ slightly from one special materials room to another. As a reservation must be made in some cases, visitors wishing access to materials other than books and periodicals should inquire at each relevant special materials room.

If you register at the NDL in person, the entrance procedures will be simplified. There are also other convenient services for registered users. For details, please see User Registration.