Kyoto University Library Network

・Those who would like to order documents from other universities (photocopy, loan), please apply by Wednesday, 5 March.
・Those who have borrowed books from other universities, the deadline for returning them is Thursday, 20 March.
・Those who haven't received or paid yet, you should do so as soon as you can.
・If you will be enrolled after April, please indicate that in the comments on your application.

*This news is for users of Kyoto University Main Library.
*The deadline differs for libraries other than the main library. Please check with each library for details.

[Infomation Service Section, Kyoto University Library]

Privacy Booth for one person is newly available in the Learning Commons!
Please use it for online meetings, online interviews, etc.

Starting date

18th February (Tue), 2025

eligible users

Only KU-members

Time limit

Within 3 hours
* Until 30 minutes before the closing time.

How to use

1)  Reserve through KULINE Room Reservation system from 1 week in advance.

2) Come to the library counter. The staff will lend out the key.

3) The key must be returned 10 minutes before the end of use.

Notes

• Number of simultaneous reservations possible is one. If you reserve the Common Study Room or Media Theater, you can not reserve Privacy Booth.
  When making multiple reservations, we will cancel any later bookings.
• Reservations can be changed or cancelled by KULINE Room Reservation system.
• If the key is not received at least 20 minutes after the start time of use, the reservation will be cancelled.

A fire broke out in the reading room on the 2nd floor of Main Library at 2 p.m. on February 6, 2025.

The cause of the fire was a lithium-ion battery. The battery shorted out, exploded and caught fire.

The fire alarm was sounded at 2:02, and the fire was extinguished 3 minutes later. After confirming safety, the library reopened.
No books were burned.

Thank you for the cooperation in firefighting efforts, activating the fire alarm, and evacuation.

7 items including “文机談” from Kikutei Collection held by the Main Library are now available in Kyoto University Rare Materials Digital Archive. 

Kikutei Collection is an assembly of manuscripts and books handed down through the Kikutei Family founded by Kanesue (1281-1339; 兼季), the forth son of Sanekane Saionji (1249-1322; 西園寺実兼). The Kikutei (Imadegawa) Family was designated one of the highest status court families called the Seiga (清華) family which members can be appointed as Daijō-daijin (太政大臣) and served as biwa (Japanese lute) players. The collection includes many records of the court rituals, documents on music and instruments, and diaries hand-written by nobles.
The collection deposited in 1921 and 1923 and additional documents and scrolls of portraits related to the Kikutei Family were donated to the Main Library, Kyoto University by the owner of the collection and were formally registered as the holdings of the library in January 2021.
 

▼Kikutei Collection

Bunkidan (文机談) is a collection of musical stories centered around the biwa (Japanese lute), compiled during the Bun'ei period (1264-1275). The book vividly describes the schools and masters of the biwa, and is an important source for understanding the history of music from the Heian to Kamakura periods. The second volume contains the story of Kamo no Chōmei (鴨長明), who was fond of playing the biwa.
According to the legend of the Kikutei family, the manuscript is considered to be an autograph copy by the author, Bunkibō Ryūen (文机房隆圓). However, it is actually believed to be a transcription from the late Kamakura period, not long after the work’s completion. Among the nine known versions of Bunkidan, the book of the Kikutei Collection is the oldest. Five volumes in five booklets are extant, although some pages are missing.
The second through fifth volumes were written on the reverse side of letters. In the digitization process, we restored the damaged papers, disassembled the books, and digitized all documents written inside of the pages. By making these reverse-side documents publicly available for the first time, it is hoped that further examination will determine the date of transcription in the future.

“文机談” Left: Signature by Ryūen / Right: Beginning of the first volume

In addition, six other titles are also available, including Korefusa Kōki (惟房公記), the autograph diary of Madenokōji Korefusa (万里小路惟房; 1513-1573), a Sengoku period lord, and a floor plan of the Kikutei residence.

“邸宅指図”

As of January 30, 2025, Kyoto University Rare Materials Digital Archive provides 2,154,407 images of 25,517 titles.
 

Main Library set January 13 (Mon.) to February 7 (Fri.),  2025 as the preparation period for the examination and will provide special services as follows.

1. 3F Library Hall is available as a study room(from January 17)

Hours are as follows:

• Weekdays 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:00 a.m. - 30 minutes before the closing time

2. Extension of hours on January 25-26, February 1-2

The library will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the following days.

• 1/25 (Sat.)
• 1/26 (Sun.)
• 2/1 (Sat.)
• 2/2 (Sun.)

For details, please check the Main Library's hours.

3. For non-KU users (including graduates)

Please refrain from entering the library because it is crowded with KU students for the period.
Thank you for your cooperation.

* For service during regular period, please refer to the "Guide for non-KU users" on the Kyoto University Library website.

Sorry, this entry is only available in 日本語.

On October 1, Kyoto University Library Network has started offering unlimited simultaneous access to 70 e-books of Kodansha, including Blue Backs, Kodansha Gendai Shinsho, and Kodansha Gakujutsu Bunko, which are frequently used.
Please take advantage of this opportunity.

Platform : KinoDen
Title lists : Recommended Kodansya books available on your smart phone (KULINE Tag)
How to use : Please refer to "How to use e-resources" 

Notes:
The e-books are for on-screen viewing only and cannot be printed or downloaded.
Titles may be changed periodically.

Katsura library, Yoshida-south Library and Main Library are holding an e-book fair in each library.
Please stop by.

Katsura Library  :  [Katsura Library] Special Exhibition: KinoDen e-book fair―Recommended Kodansha books available on your smart phone―　(update:11/15)
Yoshida-South Library : Let's read e-books! Campaign Part 2!　（Japanese only)

The following event will be held at Main Library.

Consider My Global Career ~OECD~

• Date & Time: October 18, 2024 12:10-13:30
• Subject: Kyoto University students
  * For those interested in working for international organizations
• Agenda:
  • OECD Overview
  • Internship at OECD
  • Steps from Application to Start of Internship at OECD
• Speaker:
  • Josée Touchette, Director of the Executive Directorate
  • Kate Cornford, Counsellor to the Executive Director
• Language: English
• Venue: Library hall, 3rd floor, Main Library
  * Online (Zoom) available.
• News: https://www.career.gakusei.kyoto-u.ac.jp/events/evnt/20241018-2/

In collaboration with this event, we hold the special exhibition at the Learning Commons of Main Library.
It introduces books, eBooks, and databases related to "Career Design", "Global Career", and "OECD Activities".

• Period: October 11 (Fri) - 24 (Thu), 2024
• Exhibition list:
  • Book (KULINE > Library Service > Special Exhibition > Main Library)
  • eBook (KULINE > Public Tag "イベントコラボ「グローバルキャリアを考える」")
  • Database "OECD iLibrary" (Kyoto University Library Network > Databases list > O)

We have exhibit the reading barrier free experience set on the first floor of Main Library.
It is designed with those who need "easy reading" and "easy understanding".

Period

October 1 (Tue.) to November  4 (Mon.), 2024 *extended

Exhibits

• Large text books
• Touch-and-feel picture books with Braille
• Cloth picture book
• Easy-to-follow books (LL book / Extensive reading  / Multilingual picture e-book)
• Sign Language DVD
• Multimedia DAISY (= Digital Accessible Information System) books
• Tools for readability

Notes

YouTube video "Barrier-Free Book Introduction Video"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLdxAiBfbXM

Sorry, this entry is only available in 日本語.