Kyoto University Library Network

About KU Libraries | Using KU Libraries | Opening hours | Find library resources | Borrowing a book | Returning a book | Using Spaces for self-study | Copying documents | Interlibrary service | Inter-campus loan | Interlibrary loan | Visiting other university's library | Contact Us

About KU Libraries

The Kyoto University Library Network is composed of the Main Library, also referred to as the University Library, and more than 50 libraries of various faculties and research institutes. For details, please check List of KU Libraries.

Using KU Libraries

For Kyoto University members

• Regular students (=degree-seeking) may use a student ID as a library card. To activate your student ID as a library card, please submit "Kyoto University Library Card Registration Form" to the Main Library.
• Regular faculty and staff (full-time employment) may use an employee ID card as a library card.
• Other Kyoto University members (emeritus professors, adjunct faculty, research students (=non-degree)) need to apply for library card. Please submit "Kyoto University Library Card Registration Form" to the Main Library with your ID.
  *To prevent spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) , the Main Library is currently accepting the applications only via email. For more information, please visit here.
• A library card is common in all of KU Libraries.

For non-KU users

• Please refer to the Service Guide for non-KU users & the List of KU libraries (for non-KU users).

Opening hours

Library hours vary from library to library. For details, please check the calendar.

Find library resources

You can search KULINE (KU Libraries Catalog) to find books and periodicals held in the KU Libraries. And you can search CiNii Books (National union catalog of Japanese universities and institutes). In addition, you can use Electronic Journals and Bibliographic Databases.

Borrowing a Book

• KU members can borrow books.
• When you borrow books, your library card is required.
• Some libraries have the automatic check-out machine.
• Please return books in the loan period.
• In case you fail to return books by the due date, you might be penalized by losing borrowing privileges for a certain period.

Non-circulation materials

In principle, rare books, doctoral theses, reference books, periodicals, micro materials and audio-visual materials are not available for borrowing.

Reserving a book

• A book out on loan can be reserved and then used as soon as it is returned.
• In some libraries, we accept an online reservation. For information, check an Information of reserving/renewing a book, List of KU libraries.

Renewing a book

• You may renew books for one more loan period if no one else has requested it.
• Please apply at the Circulation Desk before your due date.
• In some libraries, we accept an online renewal. For information, check an Information of reserving/renewing a book, List of KU libraries.

* Policies on library service vary from library to library. Please check List of KU Libraries for detail.

Returning a Book

• Please return books to the library which you borrowed them from, as a general rule.

Inter-campus Return Service

• You can return books to a different KU library from the one which you borrowed them from. The Libraries send books back to the owning library. （ Inter-campus Return Service ）
• Inter-campus Return Service is available if both the sending and the receiving library participate in this service. For more information, please ask librarians or visit this website「Inter-campus Return Service - Participating Libraries (PDF: 652KB)」
• Inter-campus Return Service is NOT available if both the sending and the receiving library are in the same campus area. However it is available between Yoshida Campus North Area and South Area, between Yoshida Campus North Area and Yoshida-South Area, between The Library of the Institute for Research in Humanities and 5 libraries in Yoshida-South Area(Medical Library,Library of Human Health Sciences,The Library of Graduate School / Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences,Library of the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Library of Center for Southeast Asian Studies), and between Medical Library and Library of Human Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine.
• If you borrow books through Inter-campus loans, you must return them to the library that you receive them.

Using Spaces for self-study

This is a list of spaces for self-study for those who belong to the university. Please use this list to find a suitable area for your learning.

• There are various spaces where you can take online classes, have discussions, and use them in groups.
• There is also a self-study space other than the library/library room.

• ※Please contact

for web interviews and activities related to job hunting.

Copying documents

• No more than one-half of a given publication may be copied.
• The complete text of an article or other item published in a periodical may be reproduced only after a certain time interval following its publication (typically three months after published, or after the next issue has come out).
• Only one copy can be made per person.
• Copying is permitted only for research purposes.
• Regardless of profit, you must not distribute or re-copy copyright materials.

* If you want to pay at public expense, please ask your affiliated library.
*Some libraries have a prepaid-compatible copy machines (the same as one in the Student Co-op Copy Center).

* Policies on library service vary from library to library. Please check List of KU Libraries for detail.

Interlibrary service

This service is available only to KU members. In some libraries, we accept an online ILL application. See: "List of KU Libraries which accept online ILL applications."

* Inter-campus loans

EDDS(Electronic Document Delivery Service)

Inter-campus Delivery Service

• You can request a book or copies of articles in journals that are held by KU Libraries, but not held at your home campus. It will be available for pick up at your faculty library or main library.
• Photocopies will be charged 15-20 yen/page. If you want to pay at public expense, please ask your affiliated library.
• Books are loaned free of charge. ("Inter-campus Loan Service")
• Borrowers are responsible for returning items by their due date.
• People with disabilities or those who have difficulty accessing the library can request that books be delivered to their nearest library from anywhere, regardless of the distance from the library. Please make an inquiry in the first instance at your departmental library.

leaflet (PDF: 396KB)

* Interlibrary loans

Interlibrary loan - Article request

• Materials unavailable in KU Libraries can be ordered photocopies from other libraries in Japan or overseas.
• The cost will be charged. If you want to pay at public expense, please ask your affiliated library.

Interlibrary loan - Book request

• Books unavailable in KU Libraries can be ordered from other libraries in Japan or overseas.
• The cost will be charged (postage etc.). If you want to pay at public expense, please ask your affiliated library.
• The lending library may specify conditions for use of material, such as "no copying permitted" or "for use in the library only".

* Some materials may not be available for borrowing, such as bound books, books out on loan, or resources owned by a research laboratory.

* Visiting other university's library

Visiting a library (Reading Only)

• When you visit other university's library, please check the institution's web site for instructions on how to use the library.
  • Union catalog of university libraries in Japan --> CiNii Books
  • List of websites of university libraries in Japan --> Academic Libraries on the Web
• Some libraries may require the presentation of student ID or personal ID, and some may require request you to contact them in advance.
• If you need a letter of introduction (permission to use a library), please apply for it at your home library by 1-3 days before the preferred date to visit.
• You can also apply a letter of introduction online at: [Main Library] Application for letter of introduction to other university libraries

* Some materials may not be available for borrowing, such as bound books, books out on loan, or resources owned by a research laboratory.

* Policies on library service vary from library to library. Please check List of KU Libraries for detail.

Contact us

If you have any question, please contact us.