Key Functions of the Library*Function as the central library“The library for libraries”
As the center of the network of libraries in Hokkaido, the Hokkaido Prefectural
Library endeavors to assist with the functioning of Hokkaido's libraries,
cooperating with municipal libraries as well as working in partnership withspecial libraries and so on.
*Function as a reference library“The all-knowledge library”
In order to meet the various needs of people in Hokkaido, the Hokkaido
Prefectural Library makes available to the general public resources fromgeneral reference materials to specialized collections in relatively advancedstudies.
*Function as the hub of lifelong education“The library for all”
By assisting districts in which there is no library and establishing a library
information system, the Hokkaido Prefectural Library provides people in
Hokkaido with various library services and carries out its mission as astronghold to support lifelong learning.

Using the Library's Facilities

The following material is available at the library.

*Reference

General Material

You are free to use any of the materials or the books on the bookshelves.
Most material is stored in stack rooms. You can search for material bycomputer.
If you wish to access literature in a stack room, please complete a request form,or ask the library staff directly.
Please feel free to consult our staff for assistance in finding the literature forwhich you are searching.

At the General Material Reading Room(2F), we provide the following
material:*General Collection-Publications on a wide range of Subjects*Reference-Encyclopedias
Science specific encyclopedias
Language dictionaries*Yearbooks-Yearbooks, Annuals
White-papers, Statistics*Statute books-Statute books
The compendium of laws*Periodicals-General magazines
Literary magazines
Scientific journals
Research papers*Newspapers-Hokkaido Shimbun(Do-shin)
Asahi, Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nihon Keizai Shimbun(Nikkei)*Other-Gazettes, directories, maps, telephone books*Lending service
Materials can be borrowed from the library by coming to the library directly.
*Lending limit -- Maximum 5 books, 5 videotapes and 5 CDs per person*Lending period -- Maximum of 15 daysThose who cannot make it to the library should order material through municipal
or university libraries.
You can order material through the web site and get it at the library, local
municipal, university libraries, or by home-delivery service.
A group can lend the books in a set of 10 through municipal or university
libraries.

*Restoration
Please restore the materials or the books at the counter of the library, ormunicipal or university libraries you borrowed from. You can take them to thebook drop at the front entrance of the library when it is closed.
<Computer Catalogue>
You can search for literature using the library's touch-screen computercatalogue. Searches can be conducted by title, author or by subject. In addition
to the computer catalogue there are various other methods of searching formaterials. Please ask the library staff for assistance should it be required.
<Registration>
Before being able to borrow from the library, you must register and obtain alibrary card. The you are expected to show any identification to the staff.

Access is also available to new books and publications produced by publicoffices.
Library Studies Reference Material(2F General Reading Material Room):
At the Library Reference Material Room(the bottom of 2F General Reading
Material Room), we maintain a collection of reference materials on librarystudies for use by researchers from those fields, as well as the staff of public
libraries throughout Hokkaido. The collection includes material from both
Japanese and foreign sources.

Northern Regions Literature
At the Northern Region Reference Center (Mezzanine), we maintain acollection of literature on the northern regions, including publications on themodern history of Karafuto(Sakhalin) and Chishima(the Kuril Islands).
The majority of material here is composed of historical records of local
municipalities and communities, community papers and folklore.
The material is classified into several categories including books; periodicals
such as local newspapers, magazines and yearbooks; pamphlets such as
catalogues and guidebooks: audio-visual material including films, TV news
footage, tapes, records, CDs and videotapes, photographs; maps, andmicrofilms.
We also have the Yamada collection of books; material collected by Mr.
Tsunekichi Kawano; archives collected by Mr. Masakatsu Sato; the Abecollection, and; Material regarding the Hokuetsu Shokumin Company.
In addition, you can borrow material relating to centennial anniversarycelebrations of Hokkaido, the Northern Territories, the Sapporo Olympics,
and the Eniwa Case.

Lending Service
General material can be borrowed at the counter of 2F General Reading
Material Room. Material on the Northern Regions Literature can be borrowedat the counter of the Northern Region Reference Center. Please bring thematerial and your library card to the counter.

Thank you in advance of your help for Northern Region Literature
Collection
We seek to collect not only commercial materials but also ones that are notfor sale, such as the books published privately or works by individuals orgroups. We thank you in advance of your help of making a contribution tous.

Reference Service
Users of the library are encouraged to use the library's collection to access
any type of information, form matters concerning daily life and simple inquires
to obtaining the necessary information for detailed research.
In addition to coming to the library in person, users may request information
by mail or via fax. Simple questions can be answered immediately over thephone. Please do not hesitate to use this service.
For further information, please contact the Reference and Inquiry Division ofthe Service Department. Information on Hokkaido can be obtained from theNorthern Region Reading Room.

Photocopying Service
Requests for photocopying can be made at the General Material Reading
Room and at the Northern Region Reading Room.
You may only make copies of materials owned by this library and within thelimits of copyright law.
If you require the library's photocopy service, please see one of the staff, whowill be happy to fulfill your request.
If there is a danger of damaging material by photocopying it, there is thepossibility that we will decline your request. We would like to ask for your kindunderstanding in this matter.

Services for Handicapped
Persons with visual disabilities can use the Individual Reading Room to havetheir assistant read the Library's materials. The CCTV, the computer for
persons with visual disabilities, the loupe and reading glasses are alsoavailable.
In addition to coming to the library in person, You can order recorded booksof National Diet Library by home-delivery service.
The rest room for the physically handicapped is in the 2F General Material
Reading Room.
A wheelchair is available. Please inquire at Entrance Counter.

Municipalities Support Service
We lend the books to the local areas which have no municipal libraries. Also,
we support the activities of libraries through "library festival", "school reading
activity support " or "seminars for the librarians" with the municipal libraries.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Municipalities Division of the Affairs
Department.

Opening Hours
9a.m.-5p.m.(Tuesday-Sunday)
The library is closed on Monday,the last day of every month(or theprevious day if the last day falls on a national holiday,Saturday orSunday),and from December 28 to January 3.
AddressThe Hokkaido Prefectural Library
Higashi-machi41,Bunkyodai,Ebetsu 069-0834 Japan
Tel :011-386-8521
Fax:011-386-6906