Scope of copying service

The ILCL provides copying services within the limits of the "Copyright Law" and "The International Library of Children’s Literature, Branch of the National Diet Library Rules Concerning the Use of Library Materials" so as not to infringe the rights of the copyright holders. In principle, the following conditions must be satisfied for copying:

* You can only have the materials held by the NDL copied for the purpose of study or research.

* Only one copy of a portion of the material (in principle, up to half of the copyrighted work) by only one copying method.

Even if a publication is out of print or out of supply, copying over half of the copyrighted material requires the written consent of the copyright holder as long as the copyright is valid. However, an article in a back number of a periodical can be copied in its entirety.

Overseas Request for copying

If a) you have verified that the material in question is in the ILCL holdings and b) you know the specific pages to be copied, you are welcome to request copies from the ILCL by either of the following methods:


Request via the Internet

If you apply for our user registration system, you will be able to send your applications for photocopies via the Internet.

Request via community library

You may request copies via a nearby public library or a university library you belong to, provided that your library offers international interlibrary service. Please ask your community library.

Request from an individual

If community libraries are not easily accessible, you may make a request directly to the ILCL using the designated request form.

The mailing address is:

Sending of Copies and Payment

Copies are sent to you by mail with an invoice. In addition to the copying fee, postage and packaging fee will be charged. For copying fees, refer to the "Photocopy fee Chart".

You can pay by International Postal Money Order, Banker's Transfer, Bank Draft or Credit Card (in Japanese yen). Bank transaction charges will also be charged for Banker's Transfer and Bank Draft. Credit Card is acceptable for paying more than 1,000 yen.

* The ILCL does not send copies by fax.

However, it is possible for overseas users to read the NDL materials at their university libraries or other community libraries by taking advantage of the interlibrary loan service. Please ask a library nearby in detail.

Qualification for Reference Service

The ILCL's international reference service is available to overseas institutions of Japanese studies and individuals who study subjects related to Japanese children’s literature. Requests for reference service are accepted and answered by postal mail or fax.

A resident of Japan requiring a reference service is advised first to consult a nearby public library or an university library. If answers cannot be found at the local library, you can ask them to send your reference to the ILCL.

Scope of Reference Service

The ILCL's reference service is confined to the following five areas all related to Japanese children’s literature:

1.Search for specific items in the NDL collections

2.Search for location of items held in other institutions

3.Providing bibliographic data for specific documents (e.g., title, author, date/place of publication, volume no., publisher, relevant page numbers)

4.Referring to documents for a specific topic

5.Referring to other institutions treating the specific subject