Yokohama City Library General Information（横浜市立図書館案内）

A library card (Toshokan Card) is required to borrow books.
The library card is free for anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Yokohama City.
＊Anyone living in Kamakura, Kawasaki, Zushi, Fujisawa, Yamato, Yokosuka, or Machida
There is one Yokohama Municipal Library per ward, for a total of 18 libraries.
With the library card, you can borrow books from any branches of Yokohama City Library.
To obtain a library card, fill out an application form for a library card (Toshokan Riyo Moshikomisho) and present a form of identification with your name and present address (for example, Resident Card, Special Permanent Resident Certificate, driver’s license, student ID) to the Registration Desk (Toroku Counter). You will receive your card on the spot.
You can also register online through the library website. In this case, you will not receive a card. Please use your smartphone or other device to display your digital library card.
Your library card cannot be used by other people. The library will review your registered information every five years.

Each person may borrow up to 10 books for 14 days that the library is open.
Bring the books to be borrowed with your library card to the Circulation Desk.
Each time you borrow a book, a date due receipt will be given to you, indicating the item ID number and the date by which you should return the item to the library.
You cannot borrow books without your library card.
The books labeled as “ 館 内 ” (“Kannai” – internal reference only) and the latest issues of magazine are not available for circulation.
You may renew your items once, provided they are not overdue or not on hold for another borrower.
To renew your items, you can either access the library website, bring the items in person to the library, log on from one of the library computers, or call the information desk at 045-262-0040.

Items borrowed from one branch of Yokohama City Library may be returned at the Circulation Desk of any other branch of Yokohama City Library.
Your library card and the receipt are not needed when returning items.
Please do not return the books directly to the shelf. Be sure to return your items to the Return Counter.
When the library is closed, you can return your items in the “Book Return Box” which is located outside the library building.
The “Book Return Box” cannot be used when the library is closed for New Year holidays.
If you do not return a borrowed book for a long period of time, you may lose your right to borrow and reserve items.

You can search for items by using the library search engine, which covers all Yokohama City Library branches, either from a library computer or the library website.
The library computers are equipped with a keyboard and a touch screen monitor.
If you have any questions, please ask the library staff at the counter.

If the item you would like to borrow is not on the shelf, you can reserve it. Up to 6 items can be reserved.
Persons eligible for reservation
＊Anyone who lives in Yokohama City
＊Anyone who attends any school in Yokohama City
＊Anyone who works in Yokohama City
Even if items you wish to borrow are located at other Yokohama City Library branches, you can still place a borrowing request for them at your library branch.
However, you cannot place a request on books or magazines that have not been published yet.
You may place a reservation or borrowing request through a library computer or the library website. You must register first and obtain a password.
You may also place a reservation or borrowing request in person at the Circulation Desk. Please bring the completed application form to the desk.
To confirm the status of the requested items, please call the information desk at 045-262-0040. This phone number can be called 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can also confirm the status through a library computer or the library website.
If you have registered your e-mail address, you will receive notification by e-mail.
You can also check the status at the Circulation Desk of the library you designated as your pickup library.
If the requested item is not yet available, the library will let you know.
Reserved books will be kept on hold for seven business days from the date of confirmation that the book is ready.
You can also place a request at Kanagawa Prefectural Library (Kanagawa Kenritsu Toshokan).

You can borrow and return e-books using a computer, smartphone, or tablet connected to the internet.
This service is available to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Yokohama and has a valid Yokohama City Library card.
You can borrow up to two items for 14 days. When the due date arrives, the books will be returned automatically.
If you cannot finish reading a book in 14 days, you can extend the loan period one time, as long as the book is not on reserve.
If the books you want to read are currently on loan, you can reserve up to two items.

Public wifi service is available at all city libraries.
Email or social media authentication may be required.
In addition, each library is equipped with PCs for browsing the Internet.
Please apply at the counter.

The charge per sheet is 10 yen for black/white copies, 50 yen for B5, B4, and A4 color copies, or 80 yen for A3 color copies.
Coin-operated photocopiers are available.

Users who require assistance with research or reference databases should ask the Reference Desk for assistance.

Home delivery service is available for those for whom going to the library is difficult due to disability.
Please register at the Central Library (Chuo Toshokan)
Persons eligible for registration
＊Anyone who lives in Yokohama City
＊Anyone who attends any school in Yokohama City
＊Anyone who works in Yokohama City

Tuesday - Friday
9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Central Library (Chuo Toshokan) is open until 8:30 p.m.
Study rooms on the B1 floor are closed at 7:00 p.m. The Yamauchi Library（Yamauchi Toshokan）is open until 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Holidays, and December 28
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
January 4
12:00p.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Scheduled closing day for facility maintenance (once a month)
December 29 – January 3
for inventory

Drinking, eating, and smoking in the library is not allowed. However, for the purpose of rehydration, you may drink liquids from a sealable container with a lid (plastic bottle, water bottle, etc.).
Please do not disturb other users of the library. Please treat library books with care.
Borrowers are responsible for all the materials borrowed and for any charges on items that are lost or damaged.

Yokohama City Central Public Library (Chuo Toshokan) Phone 045-262-0050
(in Japanese)