Frequently Asked Questions
Questions regarding Keio University and Yukichi Fukuzawa
Please refer to the "Frequently asked questions" for Research guide: Keio University/Yukichi Fukuzawa.
Eligibility for use
Q. Can I use the libraries on all campuses?
Undergraduate students (including correspondence course students), graduate students, faculty / staff belonging to Keio University may use the Media Center on all campuses, with the following exceptions.
- Kyoseikan Library:
Undergraduate students (including correspondence course students) must apply in advance. Please refer to the Kyoyukan Library page. - Media Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences:
If you are not affiliated with the Faculty of Pharmacy / Graduate,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences or a faculty member of Keio University, you must apply in advance. Please refer to the Media Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences page.
If you are not Undergraduate students (including correspondence course students), graduate students, faculty / staff belonging to Keio University , please refer to Use Library page.
Q. I am raising a small child. Can I take my child with me into the library?
In principle, persons of high school age or younger are not allowed to enter the library; however, persons with small children are permitted to bring them along when using the library. Please ensure your child also observes library etiquette and accompany them at all times within the building. Note that children cannot use the library themselves.
Using materials
Q. I would like to borrow an English-Japanese dictionary.
Reference books such as dictionaries and encyclopedias (items for which the call number begins with R) are for use inside the library and cannot be taken out on loan.
Q. I have lost (damaged, soiled) the book I borrowed.
You will be required to reimburse any damages or losses. Please inform a staff member as soon as possible. Library materials are assets of Keio University. Please take care when handling materials.
Q. Can I extend the deadline to return the books I have out on loan?
If the following conditions are met, you can renew items you have taken out on loan (extend deadline for return):
- No reservations on items
- Within maximum renewal period
Please renew either by bringing the books to the counter and carrying out the procedures or by logging into My Library on KOSMOS. (*Use of My Library is restricted to persons who have a Keio ID or who have been given a password by a Media Center. Summer and night school students in correspondence courses are unable to use My Library.) Please note that deadlines for return cannot be extended for some materials.
Q. I would like to know the names of items I previously borrowed.
You can confirm your "Loan history" by logging into My Library on KOSMOS.
*Use of My Library is restricted to persons who have a Keio ID or who have been given a password by a Media Center. Summer and night school students in correspondence courses are unable to use My Library.
Q. I would like to borrow the book that my friend currently has out on loan.
First of all, the person who has borrowed the book must return it to the library. If no reservations have been placed on the book, then you will be able to borrow the item next.
Q. If I am late returning an item, will I be suspended from borrowing other materials?
Although you will not be suspended from taking items out on loan, you will be charged a daily overdue fine of 10 yen per item as a penalty. Please be sure to return items on time so as not to inconvenience other library users.
Q. Do I need to go in person to borrow books held at other campuses?
You can apply for items to be sent from the search results screen after logging into KOSMOS or make a request using the Interlibrary loans/reservations form. However, not all materials can be requested.
Q. Can I also return books I borrowed from a Media Center at another campus?
You can return Keio University Library books at any Media Center. However, it may not be possible to return items at a different Media Center depending on the nature of the materials (easily damaged in transit, etc.). Please take care if you are given instructions on where to return items when you take them out on loan.
Q. It said "Yamanaka" on KOSMOS. Where is this?
It is an off-campus repository located by Lake Yamanaka . After logging into KOSMOS, you can request the item from the search results screen. Please consult with a staff member at the reference desk regarding materials that cannot be requested using KOSMOS.
Request materials
Q. How long does it take to request books from other campuses?
Books are delivered in around two to three days. (Library opening days excluding weekends and public holidays. Deliveries may be delayed in certain cases.) There are also periods during which services are suspended or restricted such as examination periods and the summer break.
Q. Can I request journals?
In principle, journals cannot be requested; however, if a specific journal article is required, a request for a reproduction (copy) can be made. (If the journal has been transferred to the Yamanaka Book Depository, the material itself can be requested.)
Q. How long does it take to request copies of materials from other campuses?
Copies are delivered in around two to five days. The fee is 10 yen per page. The key for obtaining materials as quickly as possible is whether or not you have the exact details such as the item titles and page numbers for the necessary sections. We ask for your cooperation in this regard.
Q. Can I request books from the Waseda University Library?
As we have a partnership with Waseda University Library, books can be requested free of charge (viewings inside library; two weeks). In the case of journals, reproductions (copies) can be requested. The copying fee is 20 yen per page in black and white. Materials are usually delivered around one week after making an application. You can also visit the library directly to use materials.
For details, please see use of partner institution libraries.
Q. Can I request materials from other universities and institutions or from overseas?
You can request books or reproductions (copies) in around one to two weeks if held in a collection at a domestic library. The fee for books is approximately 1600 yen per volume and approximately 45 yen per page plus postage for reproductions. Requests from overseas are also possible, but are more expensive and will require extra time for delivery than requests made to domestic libraries. For details, please consult with a staff member at the reference desk. Interlibrary loans/reservations form
Find/Search
Q. The item I am looking for shows up as "available" on KOSMOS, but I cannot find it on the shelf.
Among other possibilities, it may be that the item you are looking for is currently being used inside the library by another user, that it hasn't been returned to its original location after usage, or that it has just been returned to the counter and is awaiting to be put back on the shelf. If you cannot find the item you are looking for after searching a number of times, please consult with a staff member at the counter. We will conduct a search for the item as a missing book. You can also request for the material or a reproduction (copy) when the same book is held in the collection of a Media Center on another campus.
Theses and Dissertations
Q. Can I search for master's theses on KOSMOS?
Please refer to search for Keio University theses and dissertations for details on how to search for theses and dissertations at each graduate school.
Q. Why is the author's permission required to copy a master's thesis?
Unlike other library materials and doctoral dissertations, master's theses are not regarded as materials that are publicly available. The reproduction of even one page of a material that is not publicly available requires the permission of the author under the Copyright Act.
Q. It takes too long to receive an answer for permission to reproduce a master's thesis.
We endeavor to contact authors promptly after the submission of a request, but we may need time to make inquiries if their address or contact details have changed or if they have moved overseas. In some cases, it can take over a month to hear back from the author. We kindly ask for your understanding regarding this matter.
Q. Where can I find my past graduation thesis (undergraduate)?
The graduation theses of undergraduate students are not held in the collections of the Media Centers. A selection of distinguished theses of correspondence course students can be viewed at the Correspondence Course Office.
For correspondence course students
Q. Can I use the libraries on campuses other than Mita?
Please refer to Eligibility for use for details
Q. I am a correspondence course student. Am I able to enter the Waseda University Library using my student ID card?
A letter of introduction is required to use the Waseda University Library. Please consult with a staff member at the reference desk.
Reference: Correspondence Course Students
Q. I have lost my local library card.
Please consult with a staff member at the Correspondence Courses Office.
Q. I cannot log into KOSMOS.
Q. I would like to view the graduation theses of past correspondence course students.
Graduation theses are not held in the collections of the Media Centers. Please consult with a staff member at the Correspondence Courses Office
Also, a list of thesis titles has been published in Sanshokuki (in the June and December issues since 2011).
Q. I would like to use electronic journals and databases off-campus at home, etc.
Correspondence course students cannot use electronic journals, books, and databases off-campus. Please access while at the university.
Moreover, there are many electronic journals published free of charge. Please take a look using CiNii Research, etc.
Additionally, electronic journals and databases may be provided at public libraries or the National Diet Library. Please confirm the services available at your nearest library.