Mon.-Sat. 9:00-22:00 (Borrow & Returning by 21:30 / Enter by 21:50)
Sun. 10:00-17:00 (Borrow & Returning by 16:30 / Enter by 16:50)
Hol. Closed. *Open when classes are held on some holidays.
Open Days (In Japanese)
The Central Library is not open to the public, but only available to visitors (researchers and students) who are doing research and who wish to use specific books and other materials that are unique to the library, and not available in other libraries.
We do not accept inquiries from individuals about our holdings or usage. Please contact us via your university or institution’s library or public library.
Researchers and students who wish to use the materials stored in the Central Library for the purpose of research, a letter of introduction (referral) from the patron’s affiliated library or public library is required.
Before the visit, please make sure that the material needed is stored at the Central Library using our Discovery Service (WINE) or reference books. You can also send us an e-mail request for verification.
> Items to be included in the Letter of Introduction (Referral)
Visitors can use the Central Library within the following hours.
Regular Term | Vacations | |
Monday – Friday | 9:00 – 18:00 | 9:00 – 16:00 |
Saturday | Unavailable for visitors. (9:00-12:00, for only those who have special reason) | Unavailable for visitors |
*The opening hours and service hours may change during the Summer/Winters/Spring vacations.
A short library tour (up to 30 min.) may be permitted upon request. Please ask for it at the information desk at the second-floor entrance.
We ask that you limit the number of people in your group to a maximum of 9 people.
The University’s official guided campus tours also include a visit to the library. Please see the website below for details and availability.
Please visit below website for Waseda University’s official guided campus tours.
General Book Collections are located on 2nd and 3rd floors by the NDC(Nippon Decimal Classification) order.
Almost all books are kept in open stacks. Please return the books on the Book Return Carts when you finish using them.
Humanities (General works, Philosophy, History, Arts, Language, Literature), Paperbacks and Oversize Books
Social sciences, Natural sciences, Technology, Engineering, Industry and commerce,
Penguin Books (English paperbacks )
There are the Reference Book Collections, such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, yearbooks, catalogs, indexes, statistics, and bibliographies, etc. Books in this area have “R” on top of their call numbers.
Reference books cannot be checked out. When you finish using them, please return them where they were.
There are about 3,500 new arrived periodicals and 150 newspapers in this area.
Journals are arranged in alphabetical order or in the Japanese syllabary (a, i, u, e, o) order . Popular magazines are in the “Pigeon Box” (see the left picture).
Newspapers are arranged by language and country.
You can not borrow these materials. Please return them where they were after use.
As for the back issues, you can find them in the Bound Periodical Collections area. Some newspapers are held in reduced size edition or microform. Before entering, you should check the call numbers of materials from the OPAC. Some titles are not available for same-day use, such as those located separately in the Honjo Deposit Library or in closed stacks.
In order to enter the area, put your bags in the locker, show your ID card at the desk and wear a user’s badge.
You can browse the back numbers freely in the area, but you cannot check them out. There are copy machines inside.