All library materials are for in-library use only. If the materials you need are in the closed stacks, please follow the instructions below to submit a retrieval request.
1. About the Retrieval Service:
Users are encouraged to search the NCL Catalog for needed materials. Items in open stacks are available for browsing. For materials in closed stacks, please submit a retrieval request based on the holding information:
- Contemporary books: Submit an online request. See items 2 and 3 below for details.
- Microfilms/microfiche (except rare books and government publications): Submit a retrieval request at the Reference & Government Information Room on the 5th floor.
- Periodicals, rare books, and government publications require a written retrieval request at their respective rooms: Periodicals (3rd Fl.), Rare Books (4th Fl.), and Government Information & Law (5th Fl.).
2. Online Request for Contemporary Books in Closed Stacks:
If the bibliographic record indicates that the book is in Remote Repository, Closed Stacks, or WestLanRefClosedStacks, you must submit an online retrieval request by following these steps:
(1) click [書在哪裡] (Where is the book)
(2) click [調閱] (Retrieval Request)
(3) Enter your Foreign ID number and Birth Date (YYYYMMDD).
(4) click [確認] (Confirm), then remember to log out [登出].
(5) Scan the barcode of your NCL Library Card at the General Information and Circulation Service Counter to receive your retrieval request number.
(6) Wait approximately 20 minutes for processing, then pick up your book(s) at the General Information and Circulation Service Counter.
3. Online Application for Books Kept in the Remote Repository:
The online retrieval process for books in the Remote Repository follows the same steps as in Section 2. However, library staff retrieve books from remote storage only seven times a day. Requests must be submitted before 4:00 p.m. to be processed the same day. For the detailed retrieval schedule, please refer to the attached file.
4. Retrieval Request for Closed Stacks Periodicals:
Submit a written retrieval request at the Periodicals Room (3rd Fl.) and deposit your NCL Library Card to receive the requested journals along with an Order Number Card.
5. Maximum Number of Items per Request:
(1) Books and accompanied supplement(s): 5 volumes/items
(2) Books from the Remote Repository: 5 volumes/items
(3) Newspapers and journals: 5 titles, 5 volumes per title
(4) Video, tapes, DVDs: 2 items in total
(5) Microfilms/ Microfiche: 5 microfilm rolls or 20 microfiche sheets
(6) E-book reading device: 1 item.
6. Taking Books/Materials Out of a Reading Room:
Users must inform the library staff at the service counter before removing books or materials from any reading room.
7. Returning Requested Materials:
Closed stacks materials must be returned to the service counter where they were checked out. When returning journals, users must also return the Order Number Card to retrieve their deposited NCL Library Card.
8. In-Library Use Only: Open-Shelf and Closed Stacks Materials:
As Taiwan’s only national depository library, the National Central Library requires all books and materials to be used on-site only. They cannot be checked out or taken outside the library.
Violations may result in suspension of library privileges. Theft or intentional damage to library materials will be penalized in accordance with Term 29 of the NCL Reader Service Directions.