Wakayama Civic Library

Wakayama Civic Library West Branch (Nishi-Bunkan)

About the West Branch

The West Branch has a large selection of children's books and parenting books especially, and provides its unique service since it is attached to the Kasei Hohoemi Center, which is a complex with the Nishi Health Center and a child care support base.

You must have a valid library card to check out books and materials. Anyone residing in Japan may apply for a library card.
Bring your library card when you visit the Library.
You can use your library card at Wakayama Civic Library, the West Branch, Bookmobile, Tobu Community Center Library, Kanan Community Center Library, Kahoku Community Center Library, Chuo Community Center Library, and Kita Community Center Library.

▼Types of Library Card

You can use either Library Card (①) or T Card (②).
T Cards are issued only at Wakayama Civic Library or the West Branch.

①Library Card

②Library Card (T Card)

▼How to Apply

You need to present a personal identification document (document to prove your identity and current address such as driver's license) to apply.
Please fill in the application form and bring it to the library counter with your personal ID document.

▼Important Information

• The library card may be used only by the person to whom the card was issued.
• The Library Card is valid for 5 years from the issue or renewal.
• In the event of loss of your card or change of address or phone number, kindly contact the Library without delay.

▼Handling of Personal Information

Personal Information of the library users submitted to the Library shall only be used for the purpose of library operations and shall not be used for any other purposes.
Checkout records linked to personal information shall be immediately deleted from the system upon return of checked-out materials.

▼Using My Number Card at the Library

Under certain circumstances, you can use My Number Card as a library card. Please make sure that there are a few restrictions as follows.
・Cannot be used at self-checkout counters.
・Cannot be used at counters on 1F and 4F. Please go to counters on 2F and 3F instead.

Please bring materials you wish to borrow with your library card to the library counter.
Please refer to the loan period as follows.

▼Type, Number, and Loan Period of Materials

Reference books, local materials, the latest issues of magazines & newspapers and other valuable materials are only available for use inside the Library.

▼Self-Checkout Machines  (Self Counter)

Self-checkout machines (Self Counters) are located next to the counters on every floor. You can check out materials by yourself if you follow the instructions on the screen.
Audio-visual materials cannot be checked out by using a self-checkout machine.
Please bring them to the library counter.
If you would like to check out a picture-story board (紙芝居), please come to the counter to pick a bag for it. Note that My Number Card cannot be used at a self-checkout machine.

▼Checkout of Audio-Visual Equipment

If you would like to view/listen to audio-visual materials in the Library, audio-visual equipment (portable CD/phonograph record/DVD players) is available for checkout.
You can use it for 3 hours once a day. Please take the audio-visual seat at 2F.

▼Restrictions for Long Overdue

If checked-out materials are overdue for more than 60 days, checking out, reservation and request are suspended until they are returned.
Please follow the due date strictly, and understand that you might receive a phone call, postcard, or email from the Library once materials become overdue.

You can ask to extend the loan period at the library counter or through the website.
If the material is not overdue, you can extend the period for a further 2 weeks from the date of application.
The loan period can only be extended once.
If the material is overdue, the loan period cannot be extended.
In addition, the loan period cannot be extended for the following.

• Materials reserved by other users.
• Materials on loan from other municipalities.

Please return checked-out materials directly to the library counter if returning during the Library's open hours.
You may use the return box (Book Drop) when the Library is closed. (Excluding audio visual materials)
You may also return checked-out materials at the following locations:

▼ Wakayama Civic Library Return Box (Book Drop)

▼ Return Locations within the City

*Note that we have stopped return box service at the following places from 3:00 p.m. April 1, 2021 due to insufficient use of this service.
We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding.

• Ashihara Children's hall
• Okazaki Branch Office
• Nishisando Branch Office
• Wasa Branch Office
• Nogawa Branch Office

*From October 1, 2021, time for using the following return box has changed due to change in its service hour.

• Garden Park Wakayama

▼Returning Audio-Visual Materials

You cannot use return box for any audio-visual materials. This is to prevent the materials from getting damaged.
Please return them at the library counter.
Please make sure CD/DVD/phonograph record and commentary booklets are placed back before you return.

▼Overdue Materials

If your material is overdue, you will be contacted via phone or email.
If you do not return the material after the notice, a reminder will be sent out.
Please be reminded that your library card may be suspended, depending on overdue time.

▼Return by Parcel Delivery

You may return the material from your home by parcel. Delivery charge is 500 Yen (including tax) from anywhere in Japan.
Please tell the counter staff that you wish to return materials by parcel.
When returning materials, enclose materials in the bag and contact Yamato Transport Co., Ltd. for collection or take the bag to the nearest convenience store (agency for YamatoTransport) or sales office of Yamato Transport. The bag is given to you when you apply for this parcel service. Please make sure that it arrives in the Library by the due date.
This parcel service is available for anyone, but note that you cannot return audio visual materials, materials on loan from other municipalities, and materials that do not fit in the bag by parcel service.

If you cannot find the book you would like to read or it is being checked out by other users, you may make a request or reservation.
You can make reservations for 15 materials including 2 audio visual materials at most.
Please come to the library counter if you wish to make a request or reservation.

The Library will contact you when your request/reservation is ready. The Library will keep an item on reservation for up to 1 week after giving notice.
You may pick up the reserved item at the library counter on 2F.
If you designate Bookmobile for pick up, the pick up date shall be the date of the next Bookmobile visit.
Please be advised that if you fail to pick up a reserved or requested material within the pick-up window, your request/reservation will be cancelled.

You may also make a reservation via Wakayama Civic Library website.
Go to 資料をさがす to search for the material, login to MyPage and make the reservation.
Password is required to login to MyPage. Please request for a password at the library counter in advance.

Please feel free to enquire about materials not stored in Wakayama Civic Library (including the West Branch and Community Center libraries).
Residents of Wakayama city are able to make requests such as asking the Library to purchase or asking other libraries to lend out.
Note that audio visual materials cannot be loaned from other municipalities.

Each user may use the MyPage service at Wakayama Civic Library website.
You may access your MyPage on your PC or smartphone and other devices.
Click LOGIN (ログイン) button on the upper right of the screen.

▼Brief Description of MyPage Service

• Reserve materials in Wakayama Civic Library (Including the West Branch & Community Center libraries) and check the status of materials on reservation.
• Change pickup location or contact method of reserved materials.
• Extend the loan period of your materials.
• Receive new arrival notification emails for books that meet keywords set in advance.
• Register/change e-mail address.

Library Card or T Card registered for use at the Library and login password will be required to use MyPage.
A first time temporary password will be issued by the Library. Please bring your library card and your ID, and ask the library staff.
You need to make your password from 6 to 12 letters.
If you forget the password you set or become unable to login, we can issue a temporary password again at the library counter.
Please be reminded that you need to show the counter staff your library card and ID to reissue it.

* It is recommended that you change your password on a regular basis.
* Login is not necessary for using the search service.

If you lose or damage a library material, the Library may require you to replace with the same or an alternative material designated by the Library.
When you find any damage in a material, please take it to the Library as it is without mending.

Search devices (iPad) are available in the Library.
You can search by book title or author name. A search result receipt can be printed.
In addition, you can search from your PC or smartphone by accessing Search for Materials (資料を探す) on Wakayama Civic Library website.
Please do not hesitate to ask a library staff if you are unsure.

You can see the lists of magazines and newspapers in Wakayama Civic Library.
Please understand that you cannot photocopy contents of the latest issues.

▼ Magazines

The latest issues are for reading only inside the Library and may not be checked out.
Back numbers may be checked out or reserved, but some of them are only for use in the library.

* For magazines in Wakayama Civic Library and the West Branch, collection period at Wakayama Civic Library is displayed.
*  Some magazines cannot be searched on the Library website.

▼ Newspapers

Newspapers are not for checkout. Please read inside the Library.

* For newspapers in Wakayama Civic Library and the West Branch, collection period at Wakayama Civic Library is displayed.
* Original versions of newspapers and microfilms cannot be searched on the Library website.

The Library offers not only reading materials but also supporting service such as information for research and introduction of material search method.
Reference service is available at 3F as well as telephone.  
If the original material cannot be acquired, photocopy service is available. (Copy charge and/or shipping charge may apply.) Please feel free to enquire.
Kindly understand that the Library cannot provide answers to the following requests.

▼  Enquires that the Library cannot answer

• Questions on school homework, prizes and awards and examination matters.
• Questions requiring professional expertise, e.g. health issues, medication, medical care, legal patent etc.
• Life counseling, personal problems.
• Arts, crafts or antique appraisal.
• Explanation for matters regarding survey, research reports, and translation of documents.
• Questions that may infringe on personal privacy and human rights.
• Other issues not related to library service.

Copying service is available for materials in the collection of Wakayama Civic Library (Including the West Branch) and to the extent permissible under the Copyright law.
To copy, please fill out the Copy Service Request form and bring it to the staff.
Please be advised that there are materials, e.g. the latest newspapers/magazines, CD commentaries etc., that cannot be copied.
In addition, the Library reserves the right not to allow copying of certain materials if use of copying equipment may damage the material. Please ask the Library staff for more information.
The copying service is a chargeable service.

▼ Copying Service Charge

B/W copying: 10 yen, Color copying: 40 yen

▼ Locations

Wakayama Civic Library: 3F Library Counter
The West Branch: 1F Library Counter

* Copying service is not available at community center libraries due to the Copyright Law provisions.
As regards to Copying Service, Article 21 of the Copyright Law says that the author of a work has the exclusive right to reproduce the work. Authorization of the copyright holder is necessary in principle in order to copy works protected by the Copyright Law. However, it is permissible to copy without the authorization of the copyright holder if all requirements under the Copyright Law are fulfilled.
Article 31, Paragraph(1), Item(i) of the Copyright Law provides the following conditions for copying works in the library without the authorization of the copyright holder.

Purpose: For the user's research or studies
Amount: A single copy of a part of a work
Provision of Service: A single user with a single copy
The applicant shall bear all responsibility arising out of legal issues related to copying materials.

【Reference】 The Copyright Law (Law No.48 of May 6, 1970)
(Reproduction in Libraries and Similar Facilities; Related Matters)
Article 31  In the following cases and as part of non-commercial undertakings at the National Diet Library or at a library or other facility specified by Cabinet Order whose purpose is to offer books, records, and other materials for the public to use (hereinafter referred to as a "library or similar facility" in this Article and Article 104-10-4, paragraph (3)), it is permissible for a person to reproduce a work from a book, record, or other material of the library or similar facility (hereinafter referred to in the following paragraph and paragraph (6) as a "library material"):

1. when providing a single user of the library or similar facility with a single copy of a part of a work that has been made public (or the whole of a work that has been made public, if it is an individual work that has been printed in a periodical and a considerable period of time has elapsed since its publication) in response to the user's request and for the purpose of the user's research or studies.

You can use iPad for free at the Library so that we can help your research and survey.
iPad can be used once a day per person for one hour. This service is available for anyone who has a library card. Please come to the library counter to apply for it.
Internet browsing PC is available at the West Branch and Kita Communication Center Library.
Please be advised that you are not allowed to use DVD, CD, USB, and print website pages.

* Child 12 y.o. or younger must be accompanied by an adult.

• Free Wi-Fi service is available for use with your PC or smartphone.
• You can use the Wi-Fi for 120 minutes at a time, up to 6 times a day.
• Select "WAKAYAMA -CIVIC-LIBRARY-Wi-Fi". Authentication screen will be displayed when you login the first time.
• Enter your e-mail address and you will be able to use the internet.
• You need to login again after a certain period of time, but please click on the authentication button, and you will be able to re-connect automatically.
• The password is posted in the Library.
• Power outlets are provided at seats on 2F and 3F to facilitate using PCs and other devices.
• However, use of PCs and other devices is restricted at certain seats. Your cooperation will be appreciated.

【 Eligible Users 】

Groups in Wakayama city affiliated to schools, social education, and culture.

【Eligible Activities】

Library events related to education and culture.
( ex. reading circles, meeting with school library, film screening (local contents))

Please read the attached Guidelines of  Facility Usage (和歌山市民図書館施設利用要綱) (PDF file) for further information.

【Usage Procedures 】

1. Application

Fill out the application form (PDF file) and submit to a library counter by from a month to a week before your event.
(The Library consult with you all times whether you and your events are applicable.)

2. Approval

The Library issues a certificate of approval when it acknowledges the applicant and event are eligible.

3. Report

The applicant needs to submit a repot after using the room.

【Notes】

• This room’s capacity is up to 100 people. (when using both multipurpose room 1 and 2)
• This room is versatile facility, so it is available for group study, workshop and exhibition of civilian activities. Please contact the Library beforehand.

Group Checkout Service is available for groups which registered with the Library.
When the group would like checkout, it can choose from books eligible for group checkout service.
*The collection for group checkout service is mainly children's books.

▼Number of Materials and Loan Period

Number of Materials: 500
Loan Period: 1 year

▼Eligible Groups for Checkout

• Reading groups in Wakayama City
• Groups that are able to clarify where responsibility lies
• Groups that the director of Wakayama Civic Library finds particularly important.

* Regarding the date of checkout and return, please contact the person in charge of group checkout service in advance.
For more details, see Guidelines of Group Checkout Service(和歌山市民図書館団体貸出要網) (PDF file).

▼Service

Book sets that librarians selected and categorized by themes are available for checkout also.
Please understand those sets are limited in number.

Wakayama Civic Library has a collection of large-sized books (Big Book).
Checkout of large-sized books is only available for residents of Wakayama city to use at voluntary events like book-reading at school and facilities.
Please come to 4F counter when you would like to check out.
Please understand that reservation and extension of the loan period for large-sized books are not possible.

▼Number of Items and Loan Period

*Number of large-sized books to be checked out will be counted into your checkout limit.
*Please note that large-sized books cannot be returned to the West Branch, each Community Center Library and book drops.
Please return them at 4F.

Multiple purpose restrooms (Ostomate compatible) are located at each floor. The Library also provides wheel chairs, a reading magnifying machine, reading glasses and writing boards.    
In addition, for people who have difficulty in reading prints, the Library has a reading magnifying machine, face-to-face reading service as well as large-print books and braille books.
Please contact the library staff for more details.  

▼Check Out by Post

Wakayama Civic Library provides checkout service through postal service for people who have difficulty in visiting the Library, and this service applies to the following conditions below.

【Eligibility  to Free Service】

• Residents in Wakayama city, who have physical disability certification, and have lower limb impairment Grade 1 or 2.
• Residents in Wakayama city, who have physical disability certification, cardiac disorders from Grade 1 to 3, and unable to send his/her representative every time.

【How to Register】

The person concerned or his/her representative needs to complete a registration form at the Library.
*Please bring the original certification for confirmation.

【Number of Materials / Loan Period】

• Number of Materials: 15
• Loan Period: within 30 days

【Postal Delivery Charge】

Books for checkout/return are sent/sent back by media mail (冊子小包).
Postal delivery charge convers both ways.

【Notes】

The West Branch receives the application only.
All the shipments are sent from Wakayama Civic Library.

Baby strollers are available for visitors at 1F, 2F, and 4F.
Breastfeeding rooms (diaper change bed, purified water heater for milk formula, weighing scales etc.) and children's restrooms are available on 4F.
You can use the space at 4F to read to your child. Periodic book reading by volunteers is also held. This service is provided free of charge.

In addition, you can have a meal at the eating and drinking corner. Please have a nice time with your family.

▼Other Information on Child-Rearing

Wakayama City website for child-rearing (external link)

• Cell phones may only be used at the space near the elevators (except for 4F) or outside the Library. Please try to pay attention to others when you are on the phone.
• While taking photos, ensure privacy of other users and copyrights of books. Please contact in advance for inspection and photographing the Library.
• Only beverages in PET bottles or lidded containers (such as water bottles) may be brought into the library reading space.
• You can enjoy food and drinks only at the terrace on 3F, Mogu-Mogu Area on 4F and the terrace on the rooftop.
• Eating and drinking (even if drinks have lids) are not allowed in the areas of Ariyoshi Sawako Collection and Emigration Archives.
• Pets are not allowed inside the Library, except for guide dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs.
• When there are children and people with disabilities, please be considerate to them especially when passing them.
• Drive a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair at slow speed. Please note that we way request you to change into a hand-operated wheelchair for the safety of the Library.
• If you lose, damage or destroy library materials, you may be required to compensate for such damages.
• Only a limited amount of car parking spaces are available. Please use public transport as much as possible.