Service for Person with Disabilities
1. Opening Hours & Library Holidays
Library hours are from 9:30 to 18:00.
The library is closed on Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year's holidays, and the third Wednesday of every month (for refiling).
For the hours of operation for each service and the opening calendar, please see "Opening Hours & Library Holidays".
If you would like to know the opening dates and operating hours by voice, please use the automated voice information service (Phone: 0774-98-1200).
* There are also services that can be used without visiting the library, via the internet or other libraries. For further information, see "Services for Persons with Disabilities"
2. Access
2-1. Contact point
You are recommended to find out how to use the Kansai-kan and whether the library holds the materials you need before visiting the library. For information on how to use the facility, please refer to "3-1 Admission procedures & how to use"
If you have any questions, please contact us at the following.
Phone
- Automated voice information service: 0774-98-1200
Follow the automated voice guide and select the desired number.
Please use the inquiry form on the National Diet Library website.
FAX
- Fax number: 0774-94-9114
2-2. Transportation guide
The nearest stations are Hosono Station on the JR Gakkentoshi Line, Shin-Hosono Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line, or Gakken-Nara-Tomigaoka Station on the Kintetsu Keihanna Line. Please take the Nara Kotsu Bus from each station and get off at the Kokuritsu Kokkai Toshokan bus stop. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes from the nearest station.
For more details on access to the Kansai-kan, please visit the "Access" page.
2-3. Parking
There is a parking lot on the east side of the library. There are parking spaces for up to four cars exclusively for people with physical disabilities. There is an intercom near the parking spaces for people with physical disabilities, so please use the intercom if you need assistance. Parking is free.
Map of the parking lot for users of the Kansai-kan of the National Diet Library
2-4. Entrances/Exits
Please use the visitors' entrance at the front of the facilities.
From the nearest bus stop or parking for users, it is necessary to go up and down a slope, but there are no big steps.
There is an intercom on the left side of the visitors' entrance. If you need assistance, please use the intercom.
There is an elevator at the back of the entrance hall to the first basement floor where the reading rooms are located.
Floor map 1F
Guide dogs for people who are blind, deaf, or have physical disabilities
You can enter and use the library with your guide dog.
Wheelchairs & canes
One wheelchair is available at the visitors' entrance and the Entrance Counter, and one cane is available at the Entrance Counter. If you wish to use them, please let us know at the visitors' entrance, the Entrance Counter, or intercom.
3. Onsite User Guide to the Kansai-kan
3-1. Admission procedures & how to use
Most of the materials in our library are stored in the closed stacks. User registration is required to use materials in the closed stacks. Please do not forget to bring identification documents such as your disability certificate and health insurance card when registering.
If you have any problems with admission procedures or using the facilities, the staff will provide the necessary support.
For more information on how to use the Kansai-kan, please see the "Onsite User Guide to the Kansai-kan".
User registration
User registration is required in order to read and request copies of the materials in the closed stacks (which make up the majority of the materials in the library's collection), to order materials held in the Tokyo Main Library, and to use the later date photoduplication (sent by mail) service. For further information, see "User Registration".
Persons who have difficulty reading ordinary printed materials due to visual impairment or other reasons can register as users of the data transmission service for persons with print disabilities. For further information, see "How to apply to become a registered user of the Data Transmission Service for Persons with Print Disabilities".
3-2. Facilities
Floor guide (B1F reading space)
The reading space is located on the first basement floor, and the Entrance Counter is near the entrance.
The reading space includes study rooms with PCs for persons with print disabilities, and reading rooms with materials, PCs, and print-magnifying devices. In the center of the reading rooms is the Information Desk/Asian Information Desk, and on the east side is the Collect/Return Counter and the Photoduplication Counter.
Floor map B1F
Cafeteria
Foods and drinks are available in the cafeteria on the 4th floor. Enter through the entrance gate and take the elevator behind the Entrance Counter to the 4th floor. Please feel free to ask for any assistance you need to use the services.
Rest rooms for people with physical disabilities
There are four rest rooms for people with physical disabilities on the first basement floor. There is one rest room for ostomates near the elevator on the 1st floor where the visitors' entrance is located (refer to the floor map 1F).
3-3. Assistance
If any assistance is needed to use the library, do not hesitate to ask at the Entrance Counter or the Information Desk. Staff will assist you with admission procedures, searches and requests for materials, copying services and so on.
Using the study rooms
There is one study room equipped with one PC for persons with print disabilities including DAISY playback software, a screen reader, braille input software and braille display, and a print-reading device (Yomube Smile) that can read out and enlarge printed materials.
In addition, although staff members do not conduct face-to-face readings, persons with print disabilities can use a study room if they wish to be accompanied by a companion to read the materials in our library.
If you would like to use a study room, please ask at the Information Desk.
Communication in writing
Ear symbol
Written communication mark
Each counter has an ear symbol and a written communication mark, and a communication board (pointing picture cards) is available. You can communicate in writing if you need at each counter. Simple writing boards for communication are also available at the Entrance Counter and the Information Desk.
A magnetic system is used at each counter so that hearing aids can pick up voices easily.
Print-magnifying device
Two print-magnifying devices are available in the reading room.
4. Using Kansai-kan Services without Visiting the Library
Use via the internet
There are services such as the data transmission service for persons with print disabilities that allow via the internet the use (download) of DAISY (audio-only DAISY) files of academic literature produced by the NDL as well as DAISY, braille data and plain text produced by other libraries and collected by the NDL. For details, see "2. Services via the internet" in "Services for Persons with Disabilities".
Use through other libraries
The materials of the Kansai-kan are available through your local public library. The materials of the Kansai-kan can be searched and accessed through the interlibrary loan system, the copying service can be ordered by mail, and requests for the reference service can be made through your local library.
For details on the procedures, consult your local library.
Use of braille resources and recorded books
The Kansai-kan lends the braille resources held by the National Diet Library (including holdings of the Tokyo Main Library) and recorded academic literature made by the NDL (cassette tapes or DAISY format) to libraries that offer services to people with visual impairment.
For further information, see "Services for libraries providing services for persons with disabilities"(Japanese only).