Kyoto University Library

Guide for non-KU users

Kyoto University Library has a rich collection of materials supporting the studies and researches of KU students and staffs. These collections are also open to the public to access, search, and copy.

The reservation is needed before you come

• Advance reservations are required for visits.
  Search our online catalog KULINE to check the status and the holding library of the material. The materials whose holding library is “Main Library” are stored in our library. Please reserve from the application form.
  

  Your Affiliation	How to Reserve	Deadline
  University or Institute	Reserve through the library of the university/institute that you belong to	1 week before the desired date
  No Affiliation (General Public)	Reserve from the application form ("Ask a Librarian" form) by yourself or through your nearest public library	1 week before the desired date
  For Librarians	Reserve from the application form ("Ask a Librarian" form)	1 week before the desired date

• Please use "Ask a Librarian" form as the application form to reserve your visits.
• Please enter the following information in the application form.
  1. The desired date　2.The desired time　3.The materials you want to use (Title, Volume, Number, Holding Library, Call Number etc.) 4. Whether or not you would like a copy 5. Notices
  Please inform all the materials you would like to use (We cannot take out a material which is not reserved on that day).
• Please refrain from browsing (walking around and viewing the book shelves) in the library.
• Please check our opening hours to consider the date and time you would like to visit.
• Please check the "Service hours" below. During hours other than 9:00-16:45 on weekdays, we may not be able to respond to detailed consultations and questions. Thank you for your understanding.
• There are many libraries which hold materials in their specialized field in Kyoto University. Each library has different terms of use for non-KU members. If the holding library is not the Main Library, please check the List of KU libraries and contact the applicable library.
• Some materials are available at your local public library (prefectural/municipal libraries, etc.). If you are a general public, please contact the public library first.
• To use the materials whose holdings are listed as "京大" on the 『国書総目録』or 『Union Catalogue of Early Japanese Books』 or the materials on the Kyoto University Rare Materials Digital Archive, please ask from the "Ask a Librarian" form.
• To access the electronic journals or databases, the advance reservation is needed. Due to the contract with the publisher, some titles cannot be provided to non KU members.
• For the usage of the rare materials, please make an application at least two weeks before. For more details "How to use Rare Materials"

If you have any questions, please let us know at the time of reservation application.

Visiting the Main Library

• Please show your identification card and fill in the application form at the information counter.
• Please put on the visitor’s badge that is distributed by the library staff. Also, please return the badge when you leave the library.
• Please keep an eye on your valuables, since we do not provide lockers to external users.
• The library will not be open to external visitors during examinations.
• You are only allowed to visit the library for the purpose of accessing, searching or copying of library materials. You are not allowed to use the library for the purpose of studying.
• We issue the library card for graduates. Application / Issue of library card for graduate
• Please use public transportation.

Library tour

• You can see some areas of the library. Here is the designated route. The time of the tour is within 30 minutes.
• If the number of members of your group are 9 or less, you do not have to have an advance reservation for the tour. Please apply at the information counter on the 1st floor. If the group consists of only members who are junior high school students and below, we cannot accept the application (Please be accompanied by a guardian).
• If the number of members of your group are 10 or more, please apply by email one week before the visit. In the email, please specify the desired date and time of the visit, purpose, number of members, representative’s name, and requests. Contact * Unavailable time for the tour：12:00-13:00

Service hours

Check the library hours.

Service	Weekdays	Weekends&holidays
Open-shelf Books	9:00 - closing time	10:00 - closing time
Using KULINE	9:00 - closing time	10:00 - closing time
Microfilm resources access *Microfilm readers cannot be reserved. *Up to 2 hours when crowded.	9:00-20:30	10:00-18:00
e-journals, e-books *PC cannot be reserved. *Up to 2 hours when crowded.	9:00 - 16:45	-
Reference	9:00 - 16:45	-
Copying Documents *Photocopy machines are available on weekends & holidays, but self-copying is not available for some materials.	9:00 - closing time	10:00 - closing time
Rare book access *Requires prior reservation	For more details "How to use Rare Materials"	-

Use of the Main Library

• Please use the reserved seat on the 1st floor.
• Generally, you are not allowed to visit Learning Commons.
• Your identification card (license, insurance certificate, etc) will be kept at the counter in order to use your reserved materials.
• You can use the copy machines inside the library with the price of 10 yen/page (by cash or COOP copy card). For more details "Copying Documents in the Library".
  Check whether the documents are available for copying [or microfilming] or not.

Resources not available generally

• Audio visual resources (DVD, Music CD, Cassette tape)
• Deteriorated and damaged resources

[Main Library User Service Section 2024.01.04]