【IMPORTANT】 Extension of temporary Library Closure (Service desk is open)【Updated Feb. 5th, 2021】

Following the decision of the Saitama Prefecture New Coronavirus Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting,Saitama Prefectural Library (Saitama Prefectural Kumagaya Library, Kuki Library, and Urawa Bunshitsu (Circulation Point)) closures have(presently) been extended until Monday, March 8th.

However, the service desk is open for picking up reserved materials.

The official website and Twitter account will be updated as necessary regarding future library operations.

Temporary Closures

Thursday, December 24th, 2020 - Monday, March 8th, 2021
*Subject to change relative to future developments in New Coronavirus infection cases

Services During the Temporary Closure Period (Kumagaya Library, Kuki Library)

Borrow Materials

The service desk is open for picking up reserved materials.

• You can only borrow library materials you reserved.
• Please confirm via official website(My Library) or telephone.
• Please check How to search for foreign language books when you use online catalog.
• Limitations on holding periods for reserved materials are two weeks.
• For visitors who have reserved materials before Thursday, Jan. 7th, we have announced that the limitations on holding periods for reserved materials were two weeks after re-opening. However, since the temporary library closure has been extended, the limitations on holding periods for reserved materials are changed to Tuesday, Feb. 23rd.

Important Notice

• Please do not visit the library if you are feeling unwell.
• Please wear a mask
• Please observe proper coughing manner
• Make sure you practice proper social distancing (>1m, if possible 2m)
• When entering or leaving the library, as well as prior to handling materials or using devices, please wash your hands thoroughly and sanitize your hands and fingers.
• We request for using the application COVID-19 Contact-Confirming Application (COCOA) (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) or 埼玉県LINEコロナお知らせシステム(Saitama Prefecture)(Japanese only) .

Reservations and Requests

• Reservations for prefectural library materials are available via the official website, telephone, FAX.
• Requests for materials currently not in our possession cannot be accepted. This service will resume following the re-opening of the libraries.

Periods for the Return of Borrowed Materials

• Borrowed before Sunday, Dec. 27th: The periods for the return of borrowed materials are Tuesday, Feb. 23rd.
• Borrowed after Tuesday, Jan. 5th: The periods for the return of borrowed materials are two weeks.
• You may return materials, using the book drop at the entrance.

Reference

• We are accepting applications for reference via the official website (Reference service by e-mail), telephone, FAX, or post.
• As a rule, applications made via the website will be replied to within one week, while applications made via telephone, FAX, or post will be replied to within two weeks.
• Library materials mentioned in the answer can be borrowed at the special service desk. (Except restricted books)

For those who require materials

For those who require materials, a postal borrowing service (fees apply; select materials only) (Japanese language only) or copy of original posted by mail (fees apply) (Japanese language only) is available.

Services During the Temporary Closure Period (Urawa Bunshitsu (circulation point), Saitama Prefectural Archives 1F)

• The service desk will be open for picking up reserved materials.
  *Please confirm via official website (My Library) or telephone.
  *Please use rear entrance. Go around the back and ring the doorbell. Librarian will go near the door. All visitors are required to undergo temperature check. If thermometer shows that you have a fever, we will, unfortunately, have to reject your admission.

Event Cancellations

In order to prevent the spread of infection by New Coronavirus, all events to be held at Kumagaya Library and Kuki Library will be cancelled.

About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

We share information about New Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in other languages and simple Japanese.

Consultation for Foreign Expatriates

• Regarding New Coronavirus / COVID-19

  Coronavirus Hotline for Foreign Residents　（埼玉県国際交流協会　Saitama International Association）

  Coronavirus Hotline for Foreign Residents (PDF：779.8 KB)（PDF）（埼玉県国際交流協会　Saitama International Association）

• General Consultations
  Saitama Information & Support（埼玉県国際交流協会Saitama International Association）

Other information

• 外国人のかたへ(For Non Japanese Expatriates)（埼玉県　Saitama Prefecture）
• About the New Coronavirus（一般財団法人自治体国際化協会（Council of Local Authorities for International Relations））
• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)(厚労省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare))
• COVID-19 Multilingual Guide (厚労省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare))

Inquires

Saitama Prefectural Kumagaya Library

• Tel：048-523-6291 Fax: 048-523-6468
  tosyokan@pref.saitama.lg.jp
• 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday and National holidays)
  Excluding Friday, Feb. 26th and Mondays.

Saitama Prefectural Kuki Library

• Tel: 0480-21-2659 Fax: 0480-21-2791
  tosyokan@pref.saitama.lg.jp
• 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday and National holidays)
  Excluding Friday, Feb. 26th and Mondays.

Saitama Prefectural Urawa Bunshitsu (circulation point)

• Tel: 048-844-6165 Fax: 048-844-6166
  tosyokan@pref.saitama.lg.jp
• 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday)
  Excluding Thursday, Feb. 11th, Tuesday, Feb. 23rd, Friday, Feb. 26th, and Mondays.