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RIKEN Library

History of RIKEN Library

The RIKEN Library first opened in 1921, when the No.1 Building (Chemistry Building) was constructed in the Komagome area of Tokyo's Bunkyo ward. The first library was just a room with approximately twenty square meters on the first floor. The present two-story Library on the Wako campus, with a total floor area of 1,855 square meters, was completed in November 1972, and started operations in March 1973.

Holdings

The first floor of the present library contains journals published since 1996, as well as reference books and handbooks. Recently-published journals are in the racks of the Reading Room. Other books, handbooks and back issues of journals published in 1995 and before (in Japanese and foreign languages) are stored in movable shelves in the basement. The number of journals and books in stock as of August 31, 2024 is given below.

Foreign journals: About 3,500 titles
Japanese journals: About 900 titles
Handbooks and Books: 42,400 publications

The library also holds rare books (approximately 150), such as the following.
Euclidis Elementorum libri XV. Graece et Latine (Euclidean Geometry) by Euclid, Coloniae (1564)
Optics by Newton. I., London (1706)

About Use of the Library

Precautions for Use

  • You can browse the library's collection and photocopies of books and other materials.
  • Please check the holdings in advance.
  • Library materials are not available for loan. No food or drink in the library.
  • Please do not bring your belongings into the museum. Please use the Return coin lockers (100 yen coins).

    • Who Can Use the Library

    • RIKEN retirees
    • Guests introduced by a RIKEN employee
    • Guests with a letter of introduction from a public or university library

    Hours

    Weekdays 10:00-17:00 (Not available from 12:00 to 12:50)
    Closed day: weekends, holidays, RIKEN foundation day (Fourth Monday, October) and New Year's holiday

    Browsing

    You may take out books from the racks and read them freely in the library. After reading them, please return them to their original locations.

    Photocopying

    • Photocopying fee
      Black and white copy: 30 yen per page; color copy 100 yen per page
    • Payment in cash only.
    • Please receive a slip for the use of photocopy machine at the reception desk. You must correctly report the number of copies including miscopied ones and pay for them before you leave the library.

    Inquiries

    RIKEN Library
    Email: library [at] riken.jp

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