University Libraries

Hokkaido University has two main libraries: the Central Library, and the North Library, as well as departmental libraries.

Library Card

You need a library card to enter the libraries and borrow books.
Undergraduate students and graduate students can use their student ID card as their library card. Auditors and research students need to apply for a library card at the counter of any of the libraries by presenting their student ID cards.

Opening Hours

Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
*During vacation periods: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weekends and Holidays: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
*During vacation periods: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
*During exam periods: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

*Libraries are closed during the year-end and New Year holidays and on the days of the Common Test for University Admissions.

Service hours differ depending on the room of the library. Opening hours and closed days will be changed.
For updated information, check the library website: https://www.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/en/

Number of Materials and Loan Period (Central Library and North Library)

Undergraduate Students

Open-stack Collections: 8 items / 15 days

Graded Readers (TADOKU): 8 items / 15 days    

Closed-stack Collections: 45 items / 60 days

Graduate Students

Up to eight books from the reading room and eight books from the extensive reading room may be checked out for a period of up to fifteen days, and forty-five books from the stack room for up to sixty days.

Books for International Students

Reference books which are helpful to understand Japanese culture and society are available on the third floor of the North Library West Wing, “Books on Japanese Culture” section.

*Please refer to each department’s library homepage for their opening days and times, maximum checkout number, and loan period.