Detailed Instructions for Library Users Proposed by Learning Advisers of the University of Tsukuba Library.
Frequently asked questions and useful information to make your library life pleasant are presented here. Why not make good use of these useful instructions?
*Information on this page is for University of Tsukuba members.
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Note : All the texts are applicable to the Central Library.
If another library or web are mentioned in the notes in parentheses after each subtitle, it applies to the one mentioned.
★Following abbreviations are used for the notes.
Central (Central Library)
Art & Phys (Art & Physical Education Library)
Lib & Info (Library on Library and Information Science)
Medical (Medical Library)
Otsuka (Otsuka Library)
AL (All libraries)
Web (You can see the information on the web)
Printing
1◆Easy to understand! How to print using the campus-wide computer system(AL)
“How to print” is one of the most frequently asked questions by students. We illustrate the ways how to use the PC and the printer for first users. If you are using the PC, scroll the window shown below, then you will find the procedures to follow. Smart phone users to click here.
★Please note that one sheet in color is counted as five sheets in black and white in calculating the consumption of annual allowed limit of printing.
★The maximum number of prints per year will vary depending on the major you belong to. You can check it from the below link. Zengaku Computer System, Academic Computing and Communications Center, University of Tsukuba>Printing>Print Management>Yearly print quota
2◆There is a Printer Pre-emptive PC (Central)
You need just to make printing but PC’s are all occupied. In such a case, the Printer Pre-emptive PC will be helpful. No chair to sit on is provided for the PC. You can make printing by this PC. Data in your USB can be printed too. You can use this PC as an ordinary PC, however, it is requested that you refrain from using for a long time after finishing the printing job. If the PC is initially used, some start-up time will be needed.
3◆You can print from your own PC or smartphone!(AL)
By logging into the Zengaku Computer System from your own PC or smartphone, you can also print documents.
With Web Print, you can print the following types of files:
• Files smaller than 120 MB
• Paper size must be 210mm x 297mm (A4 only)
• File formats such as PDF and JPEG (Word files cannot be uploaded)
For more details about Web Print, please refer to the link below:
Zengaku Computer System, Academic Computing and Communications Center, University of Tsukuba > Printing #Web print service
4◆Printing can be made even after using up your annual printable limit (AL)
Even if you have used up your annual printable limit allowed in your Campus-wide PC and Library PC, you can print by paying the printing charge. There is a printer for charged printing service of Zengaku Computer System, not in the library, but in the MARUZEN campus shop in the 3A building of Area 3. →Launch of Charged Printing Service (Zengaku Computer System)
Also, there are chargeable printer-copier compound machines which are available on the PCs for searching in the library. In the case of Central Library for example, you will find chargeable printer-copier compound machines near Seminar Room C of 2F and inner side of 5F. After appointing one of these compound machines from your nearby PC, then you can proceed with printing.
Available Materials
1◆You can read journals on the web!(Web)
We provide e-journals, with which you can read articles on the web. Although full-text access is generally limited to on-campus use, faculty members and students of the university can use the "EJ/DB Remote Access Service (Tulips Warp)" to view content from off-campus locations such as home or while traveling.
For details including usage precautions, a list of accessible electronic journals and databases, and databases available via the remote access service (indicated by an "R" icon), please refer to the following URL.
Library’s top page > Electronic Resources List
Library’s top page > Collections > Utilization > Electronic Journal/Database remote access service
3◆Want to read doctoral dissertations or masters theses by your seniors? (Central, Lib & Info, Otsuka/partially available)
You can read dissertations of all faculties at 4F of Central Library. You can also search some of them on Tsukuba Repository of Electronic Resource List.
In addition, you can check the place of masters theses of some faculties at the room for publications of UT. Please check the the Library’s top page > Support > Searching Guide > Master's thesis in Tsukuba
Using "My Library"
◆ Let’s log into “MyLibrary.”(Web)
Do you know that the “MyLibrary” section of the library webpage can help you do various tasks without visiting the library? For example, you can confirm the status of your currently loaned or reserved materials and extend the loan period as well. To do this, you need to click on “MyLibrary” on the login section of the top page and enter your ID and password. Please be sure to try it.
＊You can also register your personal email address! — Library Email Notification Service（AL）
It’s easy to forget when your books are due, isn’t it? That’s why the library’s email notification service is so helpful! You may have received a reminder email as the due date approaches. By default, notifications are sent to your university email address. However, if you log in to "My Library" from the Library’s top page and go to “Change Email Address,” you can set the system to send notifications to your personal email address as well as your university one.
＊The due date may be extended at the Library website. (Web)
“Oh! Today is the due date! What shall I do…” That's no problem. You can extend the due date up to three times from "My Library" on the Library website. Incidentally, you cannot renew the due date if someone else has reserved the book in advance.
＊You can request book purchases. (Web)
Those students who have a purchase request for some books can apply for them online. Please fill in the designated form in the “Book purchase request for students” section on the upper right hand side. Detailed information is provided at the top of the form.
＊Use it to your advantage! Bookmark feature(web)
“I'm interested in this material the professor mentioned in class, but I might forget the title later…” — no worries!Just add the item to your bookmarks from the detailed view in the Library Catalog (OPAC), and you’ll be able to revisit it anytime through "My Library". You can also create custom lists to organize your bookmarked books however you like.
Facilities & Equipment
1◆Convenient Seminar Room for group use. (AL)
Seminar Rooms provided for group use can be booked from "My Library" of the Library Top Page. The Seminar Room is appropriate for holding meetings like group studies, discussions and brainstorming in a limited time schedule. 
2◆Talkable Booths for online classes (Central, Otsuka)
Want to speak freely during your online classes without worrying about your surroundings? Then the talkable booths are perfect for you! They’re ideal for activities that involve speaking, such as web meetings or research interviews. There are two types of booths available: single-person booths (Central and Otsuka) and group booths for 2 to 4 people (Central only). You can reserve a booth through "My Library" starting one week before your desired date.
3◆Meeting Space Available without Booking (Central, Art & Phys)
"We want to have a meeting but there’s no place to…" In such a case, you can use the Lounge and the Chat frame of the Library. On each floor (2F to 5F) of the Central Library, you will find these places where you can have a meeting, chat and relax. The whiteboard there is for your free use. Unlike Seminar Rooms, you need not apply for use in advance. 
4◆Eating Space (AL)
"Refresh Zone" and Lounges of the library are available for eating and drinking. You can drink or eat something in some spaces marked with the pictures below.
5◆Graduate school students can use Study Cubicles (Central, Art & Phys, Medical)
Study Cubicles, independent exclusive space for study, are available for use by graduate school students and faculty members. Prior application from "My Library" of the Library top page is required. Reservation will be made on a first-come-first-served basis. After that you can occupy an individual space for your own. It provides you with an ideal space to concentrate on your studies.
6◆Known to those in the know. "Study Space" on the 2F of Annex! (Central)
Many of you have already used campus-wide PCs and printers of the Central Library Main Building. In contrast, the Study Space of the 2F of the Annex is less crowded and quiet. Not a few quiet compartments are here. By bringing your own PCs, you can concentrate on your studies with higher efficiency. 
7◆Mobile Phone Booth (Central, Art & Phys, Otsuka)
Near to the elevator of each floor, you’ll find Mobile Phone Booths, in which you are allowed to use your mobile phone. In lounges or Chat frmaes, as long as you do not bother other users, you can use your mobile phone. 
8◆PC exclusive for visually-impaired persons (AL)
At the Learning Square on the 2F of the Central Library, there is a PC for visually-impaired persons. Button-type mouse is provided for the convenience of users, too. This PC is intended for the disabled, so non-disabled persons are requested to refrain from using.
9◆You can read back issues of newspapers! (AL)
Reduced edition of some Japanese newspapers are in the 1F of Central Library. You can read digitalized back issues of newspapers at all branches. You can also access the article database of Nihon Keizai Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun from PC connected to university network. As for foreign papers, you can browse lots of titles using “ProQuest Central”.
Top page > Collections > Search from List > Newspapers (Library Holdings)
★Some items can be used only in the library. You can access these items using a special PC near the Seminar Room C at the 2F of Central Library.
10◆Tips for entering the Library without ID card. (AL)
Don't give up entering the Library when you notice that you've forgotten your student ID card. In that case, you can ask a library staff member at the main counter to open the gate. But you cannot utilize the services granted for your student card, such as borrowing books or printing by the campus-wide PC. Please don’t fail to carry your student card whenever you visit the Library.
11◆Your family or friends can use the Library as well. (AL)
The University of Tsukuba Library welcomes visitors from outside.Visitors will receive a visitor's badge at the main counter. Why not recommend to your family and your friends from other universities to visit our Library.
12◆Please use a nearby Library when returning books. (AL)
The book you borrowed from the library can be returned at every library in Tsukuba and Otsuka. Please return the books you read to the Library nearby as soon as possible.
Zengaku Computer System
◆How to use Zengaku Computer System?
Computers with access to the Zengaku Computer System are available in the library.These PCs provide access to various systems useful for classes and self-study, including Windows and Linux environments, as well as email services. Anyone with login credentials is welcome to use them.
＊Software Information(web)
The Zengaku Computer System, you can use both licensed and free software provided by the university. Major software includes Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud. Please note that some software may have usage restrictions, such as being available only at specific satellite locations or not supporting remote access.
For more details, please refer to:
Zengaku Computer System, Academic Computing and Communications Center, University of Tsukuba > System Overview > Software Information
＊How to Start Using the Software(web)
Information on how to use various software provided by the University of Tsukuba, as well as details about site licenses, can be found on the AcademicComputing & Communications Center’s website linked below.
https://www.cc.tsukuba.ac.jp/wp_e/service/software-license/
At the bottom of the left-hand menu on this software license webpage, you can also find information about services that have been discontinued.
Help Desk
1◆Graduate school students will provide consultation service about learning. (Central)
Graduate students, called Learning Advisers, will be available for consultation and support on your various kinds of learning activities at the Student Support Desk. They will help you in looking for references, checking the report you have written considering various factors from the student’s point of view based on encouraging your motivation, and trying to solve the problem together. They are awaiting your coming, from 14:00 to 19:00 on weekdays at the Student Support Desk on the 2F of Central Library.
*Promotion Movie of the Learning Adviser* (1’24”) -- Japanese only: Subtitles in English will be updated in the near future --
2◆Volunteer Counter for general information and guidance (Central)
If you cannot find the materials you need on the shelves, for example, please contact the Volunteer Counter. English is acceptable, too. Actually, there are many services provided by volunteers, such as Library tours. “UTAGAKI”, a public relations magazine issued by them, will be of interest.
3◆Library, the Place to Learn! Workshops of Various Kinds! (AL)
Aren’t you under the impression that the Library is just a place to borrow books or do your works using computers? Actually the Library is providing various kinds of workshops (seminars, orientations) for its users from time to time. Library specialists give lectures on topics like how to search research papers, how to use databases, how to make effective use of the Library, etc.
Top page > Support > Workshops > Workshop Schedule
In addition, based on a request proposed by more than 2 persons, the Library will consider holding an “ order-made workshop” for you, if appropriate. Why not make the best use of the Library to upgrade yourself?
Top page > Support > Workshops > Ordermade workshop
4◆ Get useful information from the Library leaflet "Prism"! (AL, Web)
The Library leaflet “Prism” will provide you with valuable information to utilize the Library in more pleasant and effective ways. You will find there articles like, “How to search research papers”, “Seminars for academic writing,” etc. Please access to “Prism” from the Library top page.
Top page > Support > Tips for Utilizing Library > Prism: Practical Information for your Serendipity and Mind
Also, printed copies are distributed to all 5 libraries.
Last Update：2025/8/26
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