Library

There are seven city libraries in Shibuya. In addition to on-site browsing and borrowing, the libraries offer reference services providing assistance to people who are doing research, and document reservation services. Events such as film showings are held at libraries.

City libraries

	Chuo Library Address: 1-5-34 Jingumae Phone 3403-2591 A 4-minute walk from Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line
	Nishihara Library Address: 2-28-9 Nishihara Phone 3460-8535 A 4-minute walk from Hatagaya Station on the Keio-Shinsen Line Now closed! It is scheduled to open a new library building by the end of 2010 fiscal year. Until then,use"Nishihara Library Service Spot" in the Sports Center.
	Shibuya Library Address: 1-6-6 Higashi Phone 3407-7544 A 2-minute walk from Kokugakuin Daigakumae bus stop on the metropolitan bus line running between Shibuya Station and Nisseki-Iryo Center
	Tomigaya Library Address: 1-46-2 Uehara Phone 3468-9020 A 3-minute walk from Yoyogi-Hachiman Station on the Odakyu Line
	Sasazuka Library Address: 1-27-1 Sasazuka Phone 3460-6784 A 3-minute walk from Sasazuka Station on the Keio Line
	Honmachi Library Address: 1-33-5 Honmachi Phone 5371-4833 A 7-minute walk from Hatsudai Station on the Keio-Shinsen Line
	Rinsen Library 1-9-17 Hiroo Phone 5793-9500 A 12-minute walk from Ebisu Station on the JR Yamanote Line

Yoyogi Library Room

For people who live a distance from a major library, there is the Yoyogi Library Room, located in Yoyogi Youth Hall. For more information, call Chuo Library (Phone 3403-2591).

Hours

Chuo Library
Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Mondays, Sundays and national holidays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shibuya, Tomigaya, Sasazuka, Honmachi and Rinsen Libraries
Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Mondays, Sundays and national holidays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Temporary"Nishihara Library Service Spot"in Shibuya Sports Center
Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.;Saturdays,Sundays and national holidays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Days when libraries are closed

Chuo Library
1st Monday and 3rd Thursday of even-numbered months (February, April, etc.), New Year’s period, special closure periods for library reorganization

Shibuya and Tomigaya Libraries
1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of the month, 2nd Thursday of the month, New Year’s period, special closure periods for library reorganization

Sasazuka, Honmachi and Rinsen Libraries
2nd, 4th and 5th Monday of the month, 2nd Thursday of the month, New Year’s period, special closure periods for library reorganization
Temporary"Nishihara Library Service Spot"in Shibuya Sports Center
Every Monday(If Monday falls on a national holiday,then the following weekday), New Year’s period

Borrowing books

If you would like to borrow books you should bring your certificate of alien registration or another form of personal identification that provides your address and apply for a library card. Up to 10 books and three CDs or cassette tapes can be checked out for two weeks.

Returning items
Borrowed items should be returned at the counter (books can be returned to any library in Shibuya). If the library is closed simply drop the materials in the book slot at the front entrance. Note that CDs and cassettes must be returned directly to the counter at the library from which they were borrowed.

Book searches and orders

With “Kensakukun,” a search resource available in each library, you can use an online computer to search through and reserve materials housed in the Shibuya library system. You can also use a similar service from the Shibuya libraries home page. Additionally, a request service allows you to reserve materials that have been checked out, or books located in other libraries. Please note that each library features a useful reference service housing a wide variety of reference works.
Shibuya City libraries home page
http://www.lib.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp/
(From mobile phones: http://www.lib.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp/ij)

Materials at the libraries

Foreign Books Corner
The Chuo Library has a Foreign Books Corner, primarily with books in English, including novels, books on life and culture in Japan, and beautiful illustrated volumes.

CDs, cassettes, laser discs, DVDs
The Nishihara, Sasazuka, and Shibuya libraries offer CDs and cassette tapes. The Honmachi Library also offers the enjoyment of films and music on laser discs and DVDs (which may not be taken out).

Children’s books
Young children and elementary school students can also use the libraries’ special children’s sections which offer picture books, picture cards, and children’s tales.