Municipal Library

Section in charge:Maintenance Section, Chuo Library

There are ten public libraries in Shinjuku City besides Chuo Library, with a total of over 1,000,000 volumes of books, over 60,000 audio-visual materials, over 200 types of newspapers, and 1,900 types of magazines in storage. You can take advantage of the photocopying services for these materials, using copy machines in each library (fees charged) within the limits of copyright laws. Audio-visual materials include CDs, videos, DVDs, and cassette tapes.
Books and audio-visual materials stored in municipal libraries except for the City Administration Information Center (branch library of Chuo Library) can be searched for and reserved via Internet. This system for searching for and reserving materials is available on a 24-hour basis. If you do not use Internet, the search and reservation service is available by telephone within the opening hours of each library. If there is a book that is not stored in Shinjuku City, you may borrow the book using the mutual check-out system between metropolitan Tokyo and other autonomous local groups, so please do not hesitate to ask at the counter.
Note: Since the hours, materials, and services vary with each library, please check the service dates and hours before you visit the library.
You can borrow the books and audio-visual materials stored in the City Administration Information Center as well, but the materials of this center cannot be returned to any other municipal libraries.

●To Borrow Materials
In addition, a library card is required to borrow and reserve books and materials. Please bring your health insurance card, driver’s license, residence card, or other official document that confirms your name and address to the nearest municipal library when you register for your library card.
A requirement for the library card registration is those who live in Tokyo, or work or study in the city. (The registration process is in Japanese.)
In addition, a publication called Shinjuku Municipal Library Guide (in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean) is available for free at each library. Information can also be viewed in foreign languages via the Shinjuku City Information on Everyday Living for Foreign Residents website.
URL: www.foreign.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/en/

●Multicultural Library Services
○Multilingual Book Search Assistance (Okubo Library)
Okubo Library, which aims to improve its multicultural services, offers assistance in searching for books and doing research in Korean and Chinese. In addition, there are staff members who can speak English, Chinese, and Korean. If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to ask for help at the circulation desk.
○Multicultural Book Corner
Yotsuya Library and Okubo Library both have a multicultural book corner with books in Korean, Chinese, English, and other languages. You can request foreign-language books using a request card for multicultural books. These cards are available at these libraries.
○Storytelling in Foreign Languages
Storytelling events in foreign languages for children are held on an ongoing basis at Children’s Library, Yotsuya Library, Nishi-Ochiai Library, Toyama Library, Kita-Shinjuku Library, Nakamachi Library, Tsunohazu Library, Okubo Library, and Shimo-Ochiai Library.

●Municipal Library

April 1, 2020