Help : Services
Frequently asked questions
Tokyo Main Library & Kansai-kan Library
Anybody 18 years of age or older from any nation can visit and use the Tokyo Main Library andthe Kansai-kan. User registration is required for use of materials in the closed stacks. For moreinformation, please refer to the section on User Registration.Persons below 18 years of age who wish to use the Library's collections should refer to: "How can persons below 18 years of age use the Library?"
International Library of Children's Literature
Anybody can use the International Library of Children's Literature. There is no agerestriction. (Admission procedures are required to enter the Materials Room).
Tokyo Main Library & Kansai-kan Library
As a general rule, anyone aged 18 or over can use the collections of the Tokyo Main Library andthe Kansai-kan Library. This age restriction is because young persons below 18 years of age in many caseswill be able to achieve their research/study aims using local school libraries or public libraries, and wehave limited facilities and personnel.
However, if it is recognized that they may find it difficult to accomplish their research/study aims withoutusing the Library's collections, or in certain other specific circumstances, use of the NDL may beavailable after following the prescribed procedures.
Please contact us in advance using the contact details given below.
- Tokyo Main Library
Service Administration Division, Reader Services and Collections Department
E-mail: saunka-web
- Kansai-kan
Public Services Division
E-mail: k-gdance
International Library of Children's Literature
Persons below 18 years of age are able to use the International Library of Children'sLiterature, which specializes in children's books.
However, certain procedures are required to enter the Researchers' Reading Room.
Please contact us for more information, using the contact details given below.
- International Library of Children's Literature
Resources and Information Division
E-mail: shijo-ilcl
Collections and conditions of use differ fromfacility to facility of the NDL. We also set limitations on access to some particular materials to which youcannot access without prior arrangement. We recommend you to search in advance on the NDL Search before visiting the NDL.
Admission, reading materials, registration, etc. is free of charge, but you need to pay for theactual costs of copying.
The main difference is that there are some restrictions to using our materials because the NDLis responsible for preserving its collections to hand them over to future generations. For example, thematerials are not loaned out to individuals. Almost all the collections are stored in stacks, so users arerequested to consult online catalogs such as NDL Search or counter staff to search materials, insteadbrowsing through bookshelves directly.
Most of the Library's collections are stored in closed stacks, and you will not be able tosee these items on the bookshelves directly. Because visitors will need to find items using NDL Search etc.before requesting them, it is more efficient to search for materials in advance before visiting the Library.Please refer to: "Should I look up anything before visitingthe Library?"
After requesting to read materials or applying for copied materials, it may take some time before you areable to read these materials or receive your copied materials. Please ensure you leave ample time whenvisiting. The Library is often relatively empty in the morning.
Several services are also availablewithout visiting the Library, such as remote copying services and use of databases available via theInternet. For more information, please refer to: "Using serviceswithout visiting the Library."