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Help : User Registration

Frequently asked questions

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Q
Why is there a user registration system established?
A
The National Diet Library, as the only national library in Japan, is required to eternally preserve publications and materials as the nation's cultural assets that are collected mainly depending on the legal deposit system and to make them available for the people (Article 25 and 21 of the National Diet Library Law). Many collected materials are only possessed by our library in Japan, therefore it is our duty to save them from being torn, soiled or lost and to pass them down to the future generations. For this purpose, we ask our visitor to register as user and use the materials in the closed stacks responsibly. We are also trying to improve users' convenience by the user registration.
Users should note that protection of personal information acquired during user registration is based upon established standards, and that we work to prevent unauthorized access to the system. Once the purpose of its use is complete, we rapidly and dependably dispose of personal information.

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Q
What services can I use if I register?
A
You can read and request copies for the materials in the closed stacks at the Tokyo Main Library and Kansai-kan Library. (Most of the materials in our library are stored in the closed stacks.)
In addition, Later date photoduplication (sent by mail) service and Inter-Site Request service (At the Tokyo Main Library you can order materials held in the Kansai-kan to be sent to Tokyo 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 International Library of Children's Literature to be sent for you to read in the Kansai-kan.) are available.
You can apply for photocopies via the Internet without visiting the library. If you live in Japan, you can also use Digitized Contents Transmission Service for Individuals, as a means of making digitized versions of out-of-print or otherwise difficult-to-obtain materials available to the individual registered users via the Internet from personal computers in the home. For more information, please refer to "User Registration."

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Q
What is "simple registered user"?
A
If you are thinking of using the NDL's remote user services (e.g. remote photoduplication service, article research service), you can register as an "simple registered user." You can complete the user registration process via NDL Online. A valid and accessible email address is required for registration. You cannot register more than 2 email address. You must provide the address of your current residence. A workplace or school address is not acceptable.

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Q
Is it possible to use the collection without registering as a user?
A
Even without registering as a user, some materials and services are available. At the Tokyo Main Library and Kansai-kan Library, you can:
  • read and request same-day copies of materials located in the Reading Rooms and Special Materials Rooms
  • read and print out various kinds of electronic information and digitized materials available at terminals within the Library
However, if you have not completed user registration, you cannot use materials located in the closed stacks. Since the majority of the Library's collections is stored in the closed stacks, we recommend user registration in order to maximize your use of the Library.

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Q
What am I able to do with a One-Day User card?
A
At the Tokyo Main Library and Kansai-kan Library, you can use the following services with a one-day user card.
  • read and request same-day copies of materials located in the Reading Rooms and Special Materials Rooms
  • read and print out various kinds of electronic information and digitized materials available at terminals within the Library

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