Hours of Operation
Chuou Library
Tue,Sat,Sun:From 9:30 to 18:00
Wed,Thu,Fri:From 9:30 to 19:00
(If Monday is a public holiday, the library is open.)
Imadate Library
Tue,Wed,Thu,Sat,Sun:From 10:00 to 18:00
Fri:From 10:00 to 19:00
(If Monday is a public holiday, the library is closed Monday and Tuesday.)
Holidays
Chuou Library
-Monday (except public holidays)
-The first Thursday of the month. (If it is a holiday, library is open.)
-Year-end and new-year holidays (Dec.29. to Jan.3.)
-Special closed day (once per year for inspection)
Imadate Library
-Monday(If Monday is a public holiday, the library is closed Monday and Tuesday.)
-The day public holidays
-The fourth Thursday of the month
-Year-end and new-year holidays (Dec.29. to Jan.3.)
-Special closed day (once per year for inspection)
For first-time users
Please fill out the necessary areas of the “Library Card Application Form”(利用カード申込書) and bring it to the counter, along with personal identification ( a drivers license, health insurance card, student handbook、alien registration card and so on), which shows your name, address and date of birth. You can get a library card on the spot.
In case your address or telephone number changes, please inform us immediately.
A library card is personal. Only the holder of the card may use it. But you can let others use it with your permission for your benefit in case you are ill or at work. (Even family members cannot share the card.)
＊ If you lose your card, you must reapply at the counter. (There is a reissue charge.)
To borrow books
Bring the books or materials you wish to borrow along with your card to the counter.
One may borrow up to 10 books total from the chuou and Imadate Libraries, ( 3 titles total for CDs and DVDs, 5 titles total for reference materials of the local area), for a period of 2 weeks. One may reserve or request up to 10 books.
Up to 3 books per person can be borrowed from the ” new arrival corner”(新着コーナー). The newest magazine issues may not be borrowed.
To return books
Bring the materials to the counter. You do not need a card.
When the library is closed, you may leave materials in the Book Post on the side of the library entrance.
Books of an inter library loan and seeing and hearing materials should be returned directly to the counter.
You may renew books only once before the initial return date, if another user has not made a reservation. (Local resources and seeing and hearing materials may not be renewed.)
If you lose, damage or break materials you have borrowed, you must provide compensation.
*Please be careful especially when handling DVDs. They cost several times the market price because the library paid royalties.
To search for books
Books or material you want can be searched from either one of 8 OPACｓ (Online Public Access Catalogs) located in the library. You can also check your rental or reservation status on OPAC. However, you need to register for a password in advance at the counter.
You can search for a book in the library from your PC at home. You can access the home page of the library and search using “Book search”(蔵書検索).
Link to "Book search"
You can also search for a book from all public libraries in the prefecture by clicking “Book search across all prefecture library”(県内横断検索) which is on the top page.
Link to "Book search across all Prefecture library"
If you are not sure of the name of a book, author or materials in storage, please do not hesitate to ask the staff.
Dictionaries and other study-aid books are placed on general bookshelves for rental, rather than placed on special bookshelves.
At the “Practical use corner” located near the central counter, books which are frequently used and books useful for daily life are placed in 4 corners: “Daily living”, “Birth and child care”, “Travelers’ guides” and “Personal computer”.
At the entrance and exit of the library is a BDS (Books Detection System) which detects IC tags installed in books. If you bring out books which are not processed at the counter the buzzer sounds. Please be aware of this system.
Audio-Visual Facility
At the chuou Library, we have 6 booths provided with players per person. There you can watch DVDs at your leisure (once a day per title). You may also sample CDs before renting. Of course you can rent after listening.
To find the book you are looking for
Write down the title and author of the book on a reservation card and take the card to the counter.
You can also make a reservation or request online. To do so, you will need a register your address beforehand.
If the book you are looking for is on loan to another patron
Write the name of the book on the reservation card.We will contact you when the book is returned.Be sure to come and pick up the book within two weeks.
If the book has also been reserved by another patron, please come within one week.
If the book you want to borrow is not available in the library
Write down the name of the book on the reservation card.
We will do our best to accommodate your request, either by purchasing the book or by borrowing it from another library.
(We cannot take request for CDs and DVDs.)
To research
Consult us when you cannot find the book you want, we will help you as much as we can.
You can use the computers to research on the internet for free once a day for an hour. Apply at the counter.
In chuou Library, we have a online-database of Japanese dictionaries and reference materials for various fields, laws, government reports, etc.
Other Services
Lending Books to Groups
We can lend up to 50 books at a time for two months to schools, kindergartens, nursery schools and local groups.(Please apply at the counter.)
"Book Talk"
Our library staff selects several books according to one theme and visits schools to read and introduce books.
Photo copy Service
As long as materials are from the library, you can make a copy for a small charge. (Only royalty free material)
Color copies are also available in the chuou Library.
Used Magazine Corner
We can give used magazines for free which have expired their storage period. (One copy per person)
Starting the First Thursday each month and lasting for one week, you can visit the main counter and make a request. Reservations are not permitted.
Special Thanks
利用案内（英語）の作成にあたり、以下の方にご協力をいただきました。（敬称略）
斉藤勇／高山武久／田野りつ子／野坂喜美子／堀川晴美／松原宗弘／持田則子
