Major Events
| 1973 | Oct. | Foundation of the University of Tsukuba and its Library |
| 1974 | Apr. | Establishment of the Division of University Library |
| July | Opening of the Art and Physical Education Library | |
| 1975 | Feb. | "TSUKUBANE" Bulletin of the University Library first published (until Mar. 2005) |
| Mar. | Transferring of Ex-Library Collection (Tokyo University of Education) started | |
| Apr. | Reorganization of the University Library office into 2 divisions | |
| 1977 | Nov. | "Plan on the University Library System" published |
| 1978 | Jan. | Opening of the Medical Library |
| Mar. | Closure of Tokyo University of Education | |
| Mar. | Transferring of Ex-Library Collection (Tokyo University of Education) ended | |
| 1979 | Jan. | "Enforcement Plan of the University Library System" published |
| Mar. | "Guide to the Tsukuba University Library Information Processing System (TULIPS)" published | |
| Apr. | Division of Information Services established | |
| May | TULIPS computer system started operation | |
| June | "Acquisition List of the University Library" first published (monthly, until Mar. 1991) | |
| Oct. | Opening of the Central Library | |
| Oct. | Computer circulation system started | |
| Oct. | Affiliation with Japan Medical Library Association | |
| 1980 | Jan. | "Selection List of the University Library" first published (until the edition for 1988) |
| Nov. | Exhibited 51 rare books commemorating 7th anniversary of the university | |
| 1981 | Mar. | "Annual Cumulative Catalog of the University Library 1978/79" published (until the edition for 1988) |
| Apr. | Host machine ACOS replaced with FACOM: MODEL 204 adopted as the computer software (DBMS) | |
| Oct. | Online book holdings retrieval service within the Library | |
| 1982 | Dec. | Online book holdings retrieval service within the University |
| 1984 | July | TULIPS as the total system established |
| 1985 | Oct. | The Central Library was awarded the 1st Architecture Prize of Japan Library Association |
| 1986 | Dec. | Data station of University of Tsukuba Science Information Processing Center installed in the Central Library |
| 1988 | Apr. | Library rule enacted Divisions renamed into 'Division of Information Processing and Management', 'Division of Information Services' and 'Division of Library System' |
| Aug. | National Center for Science Information System Cataloging Services (NACSIS-CAT) available | |
| Sep. | Computer System for Educational Use started operation in the Central Library and the Medical Library | |
| 1989 | June | Opening of the Otsuka Library (Otsuka Area) |
| Aug. | Started to enter bibliographic records into NACSIS union catalog database | |
| Sep. | Special exhibition commemorating 10th anniversary of the Central Library | |
| 1991 | Mar. | Final report of the Committee for Future Planning of the Library |
| Nov. | Loan service for researchers in the Tsukuba Science City | |
| 1992 | Feb. | Library's own computer system installed |
| Apr. | Started to open on Sundays | |
| May | Started to open on Saturdays | |
| June | Connected to NACSIS-ILL system and started to work in it | |
| Nov. | Comenius Collection Exhibition | |
| 1993 | Apr. | Syllabus corner |
| Oct. | Online holdings retrieval services over the lnternet | |
| 1995 | Mar. | The Central Library Annex completed (Completion ceremony held in June) |
| Apr. | Reorganization of the University Library office | |
| June | Library Volunteers staffed | |
| 1996 | Feb. | Library’s computer system replaced |
| 1997 | June | Received 1997 JANUL Award “Introduction of Library Volunteers” |
| Oct. | Loan service for students of the Open University of Japan Ibaraki Study Center | |
| 1998 | Jan. | Digital Library system launched Redefinition of "Tulips" (Tsukuba University Library digitized Information Public Service) |
| 1999 | Apr. | Started to open on National Holidays |
| 2001 | Apr. | Computer System for Educational Use operational in the Art and Physical Education Library |
| May | Loan service on Sundays, Saturdays and national holidays (trial) (officially adopted in April 2002) | |
| 2002 | Jan. | Digital Library System replaced |
| Oct. | Joined together with the University of Library and Information Science Opening of the Library on Library and Information Science | |
| 2003 | Sep. | Special exhibition "Rare Books from the University of Tsukuba Library" in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the University of Tsukuba establishment (131 years since its original foundation as the national teachers school) |
| 2004 | Mar. | Online interlibrary photocopy order system |
| Apr. | Reorganized the Library Office in accordance with the start of the National University Corporation | |
| Nov. | Extension of opening hours (trial) (officially adopted in next Apr.) | |
| 2005 | Apr. | Opening of the Otsuka Library (Akihabara Area) |
| Apr. | Loan service for visitors | |
| May | Foundation of the Research and Development Office | |
| 2006 | Jan. | Redifinition of "Tulips" (Tsukuba University Library Information Public Service) |
| Mar. | Opening of Tsukuba Repository | |
| 2007 | Mar. | Online interlibrary book-loan order system |
| Mar. | “Society Copyright Policies in Japan (SCPJ)” opened | |
| May | E-DDS service (for faculty members) | |
| Sep. | Online application service to purchase books (for students) | |
| 2008 | Feb. | Online book-delivery application service between Tsukuba Campus and Tokyo Campus |
| Mar. | Coffee shop opened in the entrance hall of the Central Library | |
| Apr. | Extension of opening hours on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (the Medical Library) | |
| Apr. | Library promotion video “Shu-5 Toshokan Seikatsu Doudesuka? (How about spending 5 days a week in our library?)” was disclosed | |
| July | Seismic strengthening work of the Central Library (1st period) (completed in Mar. 2009) | |
| 2009 | Apr. | PR magazine “Prism” was first published |
| Apr. | Seismic strengthening work of the Central Library (2nd period) (completed in Dec.) | |
| June | Received 2009 JANUL Award “Working Group on producing a promotion video of the University of Tsukuba Library” | |
| Sep. | “Annual Report of University of Tsukuba Library” first published | |
| Sep. | Study Space opened on the 2nd floor of the annex of the Central Library | |
| 2010 | Jan. | Book delivery service within Tsukuba Area for special service for university members with disability |
| Feb. | Digital Library System replaced Discovery service (2nd generation OPAC) installed | |
| Mar. | The Otsuka Library moved to the temporary building due to reconstruction work of Otsuka Area, Tokyo campus | |
| Mar. | Reconstruction work of the Otsuka Library (completed in Aug. 2011) | |
| Mar. | Tulips-WARP, the remote access service for EJ/DB | |
| Apr. | Learning Commons opened in the Library on Library and Information Science | |
| July | Seismic strengthening work of the Central Library (3rd period) (completed in Jan. 2011) | |
| 2011 | Mar. | [The Great East Japan Earthquake] Closure due to collapsed shelves and fallen books etc. (12th – 28th May) |
| Mar. | Official Twitter account (@tsukubauniv_lib) opened | |
| May | [The Great East Japan Earthquake] Libraries except the Art and Physical Education Library restored | |
| Sep. | The Otsuka Library reopened after renovation of Bunkyo School Bldg., Tokyo Campus (Akihabara Branch merged in and closed) | |
| Sep. | Learning Square opened in the Central Library | |
| Oct. | Learning Advisers staffed at the Central Library | |
| 2012 | Jan. | [The Great East Japan Earthquake] The Library’s restoration work started (completed in Mar.) |
| Feb. | “University of Tsukuba Library Mission Statement and Goals” established | |
| Oct. | Writing support seminar first held | |
| Nov. | Opening hours extension of the Central Library (trial) (officially adopted in Apr. 2014) * opening at 8:30 am on weekdays during academic terms, until 8:00 pm on weekends and holidays during academic terms | |
| Nov. | TSA (Tsukuba Science Activity) opened | |
| 2013 | Jan. | Opening hours extension of the Central Library (Trial) (officially adopted in Apr. 2014) * until 0:00 am during academic terms |
| Sep. | Opening on Sat., Sun., and Holidays and opening hours extension of the Central Library during recesses (trial) (officially adopted in Apr. 2015) * Weekdays: 10:00-20:00 -> 9:00-20:00 ; Sat., Sun., Holidays: Closed -> 9:00-18:00 | |
| Sep. | Seismic strengthening work of the Medical Library (completed in Aug. 2014) | |
| Oct. | Official Facebook page opened | |
| Oct. | Temporary room of the Medical Library opened | |
| Nov. | Offering books with their covers on | |
| Dec. | Questionnaire about the trial of extending opening hours of the libraries | |
| 2014 | Mar. | Digital Library System replaced Official website renewal Discovery service “Tulips Search” installed Internet reservation system for seminar rooms and study cubicles installed |
| May | Tsukuba Repository transferred to JAIRO Cloud | |
| July | Students’ book selection tour | |
| Aug. | The Medical Library reopened after renovation | |
| Nov. | Seminars by Learning Advisers | |
| 2015 | Jan. | Questionnaire about utilization of Learning Square and extension of opening hours |
| June | 20th anniversary ceremony of Library Volunteers | |
| July | (A&PE, Medical, and L&IS) Opening hours extension of special libraries in Tsukuba Area (trial) (officially adopted in April 2016) * Opening at 9:00 -> 8:30 | |
| Nov. | University of Tsukuba Open Access Policy adopted | |
| Dec. | Gamajumper, the library mascot, won the "Good Worker of the Library" Prize and the Jury Prize at the 1st Library Character Grand-prix held in the 17th Library Fair & Forum | |
| 2016 | Feb. | Book delivery service among the libraries in Tsukuba Campus (Trial) (officially adopted in April 2017) |
| Feb. | Extension of opening hours of the Medical Library during recesses (trial) *In Feb. and Sep., hours are the same as regular, in order to be fit for the academic calendar of the School of Medicine and Medical Sciences | |
| Mar. | Renewal of Learning Square of the Central Library | |
| Apr. | Department of Academic Information was organized (includes 3 divisions: Div. of Academic Information Planning, Div. of Academic Support, Div. of Information Infrastructure Management) | |
| Oct. | "Eureka", the Learning Commons in the Art and Physical Education Library, opened | |
| Dec. | Gamajumper, the library mascot, won the Most-Cheered- Character-on-the-Web Prize, the third place of the Most-Cherred-Character-at-the-Venue Prize, Clarivate Analytics Prize, and the Best Staffed Suit Prize at the 2st Library Character Grand-prix held in the 18th Library Fair & Forum | |
| 2017 | Jan. | Crowdfunding project |
| Apr. | Library promotion video "Life with Library" was disclosed | |
| Apr. | Digitization service for people with disabilities (trial) (officially started in Apr. 2019) | |
| Sep. | (A&PE) regular exhibition of a piece of Ishii Collection | |
| Sep. | Symposium commemorating 10th anniversary of the University of Tsukuba Press | |
| 2018 | Jun. | Web application system of library card for visitors |
| Jun. | Library User Survey | |
| Dec. | (Central) Seismic strengthening work of the entrance hall; the coffee shop closed temporalily (completed in Feb. 2019) | |
| 2019 | Jan. | Service package (book loan, reference, and ILL) for the Laboratory High schools at Otsuka, Komaba, and Sakado |
| Mar. | "Tulips Search" was renewaled and disclosed | |
| Mar. | Learning Commons in the Medical Library opened | |
| Mar. | Reparing work of "Yagai sougaku, Saruhiki-zu by Kano Tanyu" ended (Started from 2017) | |
| Apr. | Actual implementation of the common expense improvement of copying fee for faculty members | |
| Sep. | "Agreement about cooperation of libraries in Tsukuba city area" with Tsukuba Public Library | |
| Sep. | Gamajumper and Tulip-san, the library mascot, were certificated as semi-official character of the university | |
| 2020 | Feb. | (Central) Expansion of Food & Drink Area (trial) |
| Mar. | (Central) Main Counter and Reference Desk joined together and service at new counter started | |
| Apr. | All libraries closed to prevent COVID-19 infection (reopened in phases from June) | |
| Nov. | All libraries opened at normal hours except for the Central Library late at night (22:00-24:00) | |
| Dec. | Online consultation at the Student Support Desk started | |
| 2021 | Mar. | (Central) 360°VR Panoramas of the library released |
| Jun. | Interlibrary loan with Tsukuba Public Library began | |
| Sep. | Credit card payment for home mailing of photocopies started | |
| 2022 | Mar. | Reparing work of "Rekiseitaijuzo" by Kano Sansetsu" ended (Started from 2019) |
| Oct. | Reading barrier-free materials metadata sharing system by National Institute of Informatics started | |
| 2023 | Feb. | Resumption of General Public Access |
| Mar. | Reparing work of "Kayozu by Tamura Chokuo" ended (Started from 2020) | |
| May | Cashless payment for interlibrary loan at the service desk became available | |
| Nov. | Renewed the Regular Exhibitions in the Rare Book Exhibition Room from "Japanese publishing culture” to "Ancient and Rare books or Interfaces to the classics" | |
| 2024 | Mar. | University of Tsukuba Digital Collections launched |
| Apr. | "University of Tsukuba Research Data Policy" adopted | |
| May | “Academic Exploration Tutorial” course started in the Learning Square and the recommended book display "Bookshelf of tutorial” set up | |
| Jul. | Selected for the MEXT-funded “Open Access Acceleration Project” | |
| Sep. | The web page "For UTMy Students" for Malaysia Branch Campus Students published in response to the opening of the University of Tsukuba Malaysia | |
| Nov. | Installed Soundproof Booths in the Central and Otsuka Libraries | |
| Nov.–Mar. | Conducted library environment improvements, including expanding the collection stacks in the Central Library | |
| 2025 | Jan. | Began Transformative Agreements for electronic journals |