Takahashi City Library

Regional Libraries

There are regional libraries in various places in Takahashi city.

Nariwa Library

Ukan Library

Kawakami Library

Bicchu Library

Booksmobile

Traveling around Takahashi City. Please click the caption for details.

Takahashi Tourist Information Center

The Tourist Information Center is located on the 2nd Floor. Please click the caption for details.

▼Types of Library Card

①Library Card

②Library Card (T Card)

You must have a valid library card to check out books.
You may use either ① or ②.
If you use your T Card at the self-checkout machine, 3 T Points will be added per day.
T Cards are issued only at Takahashi City Library.
However, either cards can be used at Takahashi City Library, Nariwa Libarary, Ukan Library, Kawakami Library, Bicchu Library, and the Booksmobile.

▼How to Apply for a card

You need proper identification(eg Driver's License, something to show your ID and address) to apply.
If you do not have a photo ID, you may need invoices for utility bill forms.
Those who are under 12 years old must obtain the signature of their guardian.

▼Caution

• You must use your own library card to check out materials.
• The validity of the card is 5 years from the date of issue.
  If you have an old library card, it is valid for 6 months from Feb. 4, 2017. Please make sure to renew your card before the 6 months are over.
• If you lose your card or change your address or phone number, please contact the library as soon as possible.

▼Handling of Personal Information

Personal Information of the library users submitted to the library shall be used solely for the purpose of library operations.
Check out records linked to personal information shall be deleted immediately from the system upon return.

You can apply for an Okayama Prefecture library card at this library.
Anyone who resides, works, or goes to school in the Okayama Prefecture can apply for a card.
Please bring proper identification that can verify your current address.
When you make a reservation online, you can pick up and return material at this library.

Bring material and your library card to the counter.
There are also self-checkout machines located next to the 3rd floor counter and the 4th children's floor counter.
You can check out materials by yourself following the instructions of the self-checkout machine.
When you use your T Card at the self-checkout machine, 3 T Points will be added per day.
There are some materials that cannot be checked out with the self-checkout machine. Please ask staff for assistance when checking those materials out.
Materials may be borrowed for the following number of days.

▼Number of materials and duration allowed to check out

Some materials such as precious books, reference books, local material, most recent editions of magainzes and newspapers, can be read inside the library.

When you wish to view/listen to AV materials, you can check out portable players only inside the library.
AV players usage is restricted to 3 hours per person per day, with maximum of 2 items.
Please use them at the designated areas.

You may ask to extend the term of checkout at the library counter, library homepage, or by telephone.
If the book is not overdue, you can extend the checkout period only once for 2 weeks.
If the book is overdue, you may not extend the checkout period.
In addition, you may not extend checkout period for the following materials:

• AV Material
• Materials checked out from other Cities
• Materials with a reservation

Please return borrowed books to the library counter during business hours. After business hours, please use the return box located at the 2nd floor entrance.
As for this library, you may use the following locations to return.

▼List of Return Locations within the City

▼On returning AV material

You may not use the return box to return any AV materials. This is to prevent the materials from getting damaged.
Please return all AV materials to the library counter.
Upon return, please make sure all contents are there, including commentaries if there were any present at check out.
Please rewind the videotapes when returning. Your cooperation is appreciated.

▼Your return date is overdue

If your material is overdue, you will be contacted via phone or email.
If you still do not return the material, a reminder will be sent out.
Depending on the situation, your library card may be deactivated.

We offer interlibrary service between the following 7 cities and 3 towns of the Takahashi river basin regions: (Takahashi,  Niimi, Soja, Hayashima, Kurashiki, Yakage, Ibara, Asakuchi, Satosho, and Kasaoka)
Residents of the Takahashi River Basin Region can return materials checked out from any of the libraries listed above to the Takahashi City Library.
In the case that you use this service, please return materials at the every library counter.

You may return the material from your house by parcel. Delivery charge is 500 Yen anywhere all over Japan.
We will hand you a black bag with a designated invoice at the 2nd floor counter.
When registered, you will receive an invoice and bag.
When returning cheeked out materials, enclose books in the bag and contact Yamato Transport Co., Ltd. for collection or take the bag to the nearest convenience store (agent for Yamato Transport) or regional office of Yamato Transport.
Please note, you cannot return large materials that will not fit into this bag.
Please ensure that checked out books will be returned to the Library on or before the due date.

The Takahashi City Library is equipped with searching devices (iPad) at various places.
You can search by title/author,  printed out receipt will show you where the material is located.
You may also search for materials from your PC at your house by accessing the Takahashi City Library Homepage.
Please do not hesitate for help.

▼Newspapers

Daily newspapers may be viewed at the 3rd floor. Copies may not be made.
Please come to the 3rd floor counter to copy past newspapers.

※We have Sanyo Shimbun issues from 1954.
However, we are missing the 1956 April, 1958 August, and 2014 August 16th -31st issues.

▼Magazines

The newest edition can only be viewed, but you can reserve it when the next has been published. Back issues may be checked out.

If you lose or damage libarary materials, we may ask you for the new copy or a compensation.
For lost AV materials, the price may cost more than the market price.

When you have trouble finding a book, or when it is checked out, you can reserve it.
Each person may reserve up to a total of 13 items: 10 books and 3 AV materials
Please come to the library counter for this service.

We will notify you when it is ready. Please come to a library of your choice within 7 business days.
At the Takahashi City Library please pick up at the 3rd floor counter.
In case that you reserved to pick up from the Booksmobile, only then will you have 14 days for pick up.
If you do not come to pick up within the given times, your reservation will be cancelled.

You can also reserve material from Takahashi City Library Website.
Please log into your MYPAGE, and search materials from the "Search" section.
To log into MYPAGE, you need a password, so please come to the library counter.

Materials from regional libraries can also be checked out from this library. Please feel free to contact library staff.
AV material is limited to what is available at each library

Only residents of Takahashi can request for books to be purchased by the library.
We apologize in advance for not accommodating to all your requests.

The Takahashi City Library website has been renewed since 2/4/2017
You may access the website via PC or smartphone.

▼Registering your MYPAGE

The new website will provide you with a MYPAGE, and here you can reserve materials, extend terms to return, and receive info.
Logging in is not necessary to search, but a password is necessary to log into MYPAGE.
A temporary password will be issued when you submit the paperwork along with your library card.
The temporary password is valid for 1 month. Please set your password within a month.
Please use symbols such as 「@!#$%&」.
When you forget your password, or cannot access the website, please come to the library counter.
※We advise you to change your password every so often.

Internet service is free for your convenience. We will lend out iPads.
You can use the iPad for up to an hour.
Anybody with a library card may use this service.
Please come to the 3rd floor counter for this service.
Please be aware, you may NOT send e-mails, watch CD-ROMs, use floppy discs or print out websites.
※People under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

The Takahashi City Library is equipped with free Wi-Fi.
You may use Wi-Fi for 120 minutes, up to twice a day.
Select  （SSID）「TAKAHASHI-LIBRARY_Wi-Fi」 to log in.
Enter your personal e-mail address and you are set.
If there is no login for a long time, you must re-login.
The password is posted in the building.

Furthermore, power outlets are provided on the 3rd floor. You may use your PC, smartphone, etc there.
However, in some seats, PC usage is restricted. We appreciate your cooperation.

The library staff is available to answer questions.
Reference service not only helps you find library materials, but will assist you in finding educational materials for research and experiments.
This service is available at the counter and via telephone or letters.
If the original cannot be acquired, copy services are available. (Copy charge and/or shipping charge may apply)
Please feel free to contact library staff. Reference service is available at the 2nd and 3rd floor counter.
However, we cannot answer the types of questions below.

▼These may not be answered

• School homework, questions regarding school exams.
• Expertise fields such as Medicine and drugs, Medical, law, and patents
• Life problems, personal problems.
• Arts and crafts appraisal
• Investigation and research reports, translations
• Questions regarding personal privacy, violation of human rights.
• Other questions that the library decides not to answer.

To copy, please fill out the "Copy Service Request" form and bring to the staff along with the material you wish to copy.
Copy requires fees.

▼Copying Service Charge

• Color：50yen
• B/W：10Yen

▼Locations

The copying machines are located on the 3rd floor counter.
There may be a restriction on what can be copied as far as new magazines, newspapers and some CDs. Please ask staff.

There is a multipurpose restroom located on the 2nd floor. Please feel free to use it.
We can also provide wheelchairs, reading magnifying machines, reading glasses and writing boards.
In addition, we have large print and braille books. Please feel free to ask for assistance for these materials.
If you are hard to read letters, we read books you would like to one-on-one for you.
Please ask staff for details.

Strollers are available at the 2nd floor lobby.
On the 4th floor, there are children's restrooms. Please feel free to use them.
At the 4th floor children's library, you can read out loud.
Volunteers do periodic book readings.  Free of charge to participate.

The Takahashi City Library holds many events such as book fairs and workshops,
talk shows and a variety of different types of lectures.
Details will be posted on monitors in the building and on the Takahashi City Library website.

Only plastic bottles and containers with lids can be brought into the designated areas. (Some exceptions apply)
Foods and drinks bought at Starbucks may be consumed at the  designated areas.
Food may not be eaten inside the library. Please eat at the Terrace located on the 4th floor.  

To insure the privacy of the users, taking photos insdie the library is prohibited.
There are designated areas that photography is allowed.
Please ask staff for details.

The Takahashi City Library accepts visits and tours by the administration, parliaments, universities, etc.
For administrative officials and congressional officals, please contact the Takahashi City Board of Education and the Takahashi City Council Office, respectively.
All others, please directly contact the Takahashi City Library.

Takahashi City Board of Education

• TEL：0866-21-1514
• FAX：0866-21-1510
• mail：shakaikyoiku@city.takahashi.lg.jp

Takahashi City Council Office

• TEL：0866-21-0277
• FAX：0866-22-9688
• mail：gikai@city.takahashi.lg.jp

Takahashi City Library

• TEL：0866-22-2912
• FAX：0866-22-1115
• mail：lib-takahashi@lib.city.takahashi.okayama.jp

• Do not talk on the phone. Please keep your phone on "silent mode".
• In the studying room, any type of device including PC, iPads and smartphones must not make any sounds.
• Pets are prohibited inside the library. Guide dogs, hearing dogs, and assistance dogs are allowed.
• If you lose or destroy library material, you may be subjected to a fine.
• Do not leave behind belongings for an extended amount of time. We may remove your items in the case of long term absence.
• There is a limit to parking space. Please use commercial transport as much as possible.

Contact Information

TEL：0866-22-2912

FAX：0866-22-1115

mail：lib-takahashi@lib.city.takahashi.okayama.jp

To contact the tourist information center, please visit Takahashi Tourist Information Center page.