First-time Users

• The library can be used free of charge.
  
• If you are using the library for the first time, you must complete a registration.
  
• Please complete a “Library Card Application”, and submit it to the counter along with identification that can prove your residential address (drivers licence, student card, health insurance card etc).
  
• You will be issued a “Library User Card” after your application is processed. The library card can be used at all 6 libraries in the city as well as mobile libraries.
  
• You may borrow books from, as well as return books to, any of the 6 libraries in the city.

 Borrowing Books

• Please bring the book together with your library card to the counter.
  Alternatively, you may use the “Automatic Loan Machine” to borrow books yourself.

 Returning Books

• Please return the books to the counter. (You do not need to display your library card.)
• If the library is closed, you may return books using the “Return Post”.
• Please return CDs, videos, and DVDs directly to the counter as these items are easily damaged.

 Mobile Library Services

• For people who cannot go to the library directly, Iwaki City offers a mobile library service where 2 mobile library vehicles (Iwaki and Shiokaze) go around the city every month.
• You may use this service free of charge as long as you possess a library card.
  *For more information on mobile library services, please click here (Japanese).

 Borrowing Limits and Period of Loan

• You may borrow up to 15 books for 14 days from any of the 6 libraries in the city, and up to 30 books from the mobile library until its next visit.
  
  ＜6 Libraries in the city＞

  Contents	Limit	Duration
  Books and Magazines	up to 15 items	14 days
  DVDs, Videotapes, CDs	up to 2 items

  
  ＜Mobile Library＞

  Books and Magazines

  Limit: up to 30 items* Duration: until the next visit of the library vehicle

  *If you are using both the mobile library and the other libraries in the city, you may borrow up to 45 items in total.
  
  *For the schedule of the mobile library visits, please click here(Iwaki) (Japanese).
  *For the schedule of the mobile library visits, please click here(Shiokaze) (Japanese).

 Opening Hours

• Central Library
  

  Monday ~ Saturday	10:00 ~ 21:00
  Sunday, Public holidays, and New Year's holidays	10:00 ~ 18:00

  
  
• Regional Libraries
  

  Monday ~ Saturday	10:00 ~ 19:00
  Sunday and Public holidays	10:00 ~ 18:00

 Fixed Library Holidays

• Central Library
  The last Monday of each month, special maintenance days, New Year’s Day
• Regional Library
  Every third Sunday of the month, special maintenance days, New Year’s Holidays
  
  
• *The library may be temporarily closed on days other than those mentioned above according to needs.

 Condition of Entry

• Entry into the library is not permitted for those who:
  
  
• are under the influence of alcohol
• use the library desks for the purpose of taking naps
• bring in pets or large luggage
• use the library for the purpose of recharging their mobile phones
• disturb other users

 Book Searches and Reservation Services

• Using the "Library Book Search Computers" provided in the library, you can simultaneously search for materials held at all of the city's 6 libraries. You can also search for books by accessing the library website from your home PC or mobile phone.
  
  
• If the item you wish to borrow is already on loan, or it is not at your nearest library, you may choose to reserve the item and pick it up when it is ready and/or delivered to your nearest library.

 Institutional Borrowing Service

• Schools and other organisations consisting of more than 5 people may register for the institutional borrowing service. This service allows groups and organisations to borrow up to 200 books and magazines in one month.

 Disability services

• The library offers a postal service (including Braille books and recordings) to people who cannot travel to and from the library due to physical disabilities. A face to face reading service is offered in the library to those with visual difficulties. Items are available for loan for up to 1 month for people with disabilities. Please contact your nearest library for details or applications.
  
  *For more information on services for people with disabilities, please click here (Japanese).
  

 Borrowing Books via Community Centres

• The library offers a borrowing and returning service via local community centres for those with difficulties travelling to and from the library. You may pick up and return books at the community centre counters through this service. However, please note that the actual borrowing period may be reduced due to the time taken to process and deliver the borrowed items to the community centre.
  
  
• *You may pick up items from the community centre between 9:00 and 17:00.
• *Staff may not be available at all times for you to pick up your items.
• *You cannot pick up inter-library loans from the community centres. Please come directly to the library.

 Borrowing of 16mm Film, Projectors and Video Materials

• Educational institutions (kindergartens, schools, and community centres etc.) and educational organisations (children's associations, youth associations, and women's associations etc.) may use this service upon registration. Please contact and apply at the central library.
  

 Microfilm

• Documents and articles of the early Showa period and wartimes that have been damaged and are difficult to read have been transferred on to microfilm. The library has a local collection of these documents and articles that you may browse through using a microfilm reader.
  
  
• *The library is committed to the collection and preservation of local resources.

 Photocopy Services

• You may photocopy some materials in the library provided that you do not violate copyright laws.
  
  
• Black and White copying costs \10 per page (B5, A4, B4, A3)
• Colour copying costs \50 per page for B5, A4, and B4, and \80 per page for A3.

 Searching for Books

• If you wish to look up something or have trouble finding books, please do not hesitate to ask the library staff for assistance.
• We can help you find books or refer you to useful resources such as dictionaries and almanacs.