Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Public Facilities

How to Use the Library

Goal of this lesson

Be able to make a card at a public library, borrow books and return them by the due date, and ask on your own about services for when visiting is difficult.

Explanation

A public library is a public facility where you can read and borrow books and magazines. Entry and borrowing books are free.

To borrow books, you make a library card. At many libraries, people who live in that city, ward, town or village (市区町村), or who commute there for work or school, can register. At the counter, show something that confirms your name and address (such as your residence card (在留カード)). Registration conditions and how many books you can borrow and for how long differ by library.

Return borrowed books by the due date. Some libraries let you return books in a return box (返却ポスト) while they are closed. Keep quiet inside the library.

Some libraries offer services for people who find it hard to visit or to read because of illness or disability, such as lending books by mail, recorded books (audiobooks), and face-to-face reading. Some libraries also have books in foreign languages. Try asking the library in your area.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

図書館（としょかん）は、本を 読んだり 借（か）りたり できる ところです。 入（はい）るのも、本を 借りるのも、お金は いりません。

- 本を 借りるには、利用（りよう）カードを 作ります。 - 窓口（まどぐち）で、名前と 住所（じゅうしょ）が わかる もの（在留（ざいりゅう）カードなど）を 見せます。 - 何冊（なんさつ）、何日 借りられるかは、図書館で ちがいます。

借りた 本は、決（き）められた 日までに 返（かえ）します。 図書館の 中では、静（しず）かに します。

病気（びょうき）や 障（しょう）がいで 図書館に 行けない 人に、本を 送（おく）ってくれる 図書館も あります。 外国語（がいこくご）の 本が ある 図書館も あります。 図書館に 聞いて みましょう。

Check quiz

Q1

How much does it cost to borrow books at a public library?

  1. 100 yen per book
  2. Free
  3. Only a registration fee is needed
  4. Foreign nationals must pay
AnswerB. Free

Entry and borrowing books at public libraries are free.

Q2

What is appropriate to show at the counter when making a library card?

  1. Something that shows your name and address (such as your residence card)
  2. Nothing is needed
  3. Only a photo of your passport
  4. Your bank passbook
AnswerA. Something that shows your name and address (such as your residence card)

At many libraries, you register by showing something that confirms your name and address. What you need differs by library.

Q3

Which is correct about how many books you can borrow and for how long?

  1. 10 books for 2 weeks everywhere in Japan
  2. 1 book for 1 week everywhere in Japan
  3. There is no due date; you can return them anytime
  4. It differs by library
AnswerD. It differs by library

Each library sets its own number of books and lending period. Check the library's user guide.

Q4

What should you do if you want to return a book while the library is closed?

  1. Leave it in front of the entrance
  2. If there is a return box, return it there
  3. Leave it at a neighbor's house
  4. Keep it, since you don't have to return it until the next day
AnswerB. If there is a return box, return it there

At libraries with a return box, you can return books there while they are closed. However, large items and some other materials may not fit in the box.

Q5

Which service may be available to people who cannot go to the library because of illness or disability?

  1. Lending books by mail
  2. Library staff cleaning your home
  3. Getting books for free to keep
  4. No more due dates
AnswerA. Lending books by mail

Some libraries offer lending by mail, recorded books, face-to-face reading and similar services. Check with the library about who is eligible and how to apply.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Can I use a library outside the city, ward, town or village where I live?

A. At many libraries, you can read books inside the library. Registration to borrow books is often limited to people who live in the area or who commute there for work or school, but some libraries also allow people from nearby municipalities to register. Check the user guide of the library you want to use.

Q. What if I lose or damage a book I borrowed?

A. First, tell the library counter honestly. You may be asked to compensate, for example by buying the same book and returning it. How this is handled differs by library.

Q. What if the library doesn't have the book I want to read?

A. Many libraries let you make a request or reservation at the counter, and they may be able to get the book from another library. Some libraries also let you search for and reserve books online.

Practice: answer the questions on this page

This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.

Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03

This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original