The National Central Library has constructed about 60 databases which including bibliographical databases and digital archive databases. The follows are most frequently used databases:

(1) The National Bibliographic Information Network;

(2) The ISBNet;

(3) The portal to the NCL Rare Books Collections;

(4) NCL Taiwan Periodical Literature;

(5) The Taiwan Citation Index - Humanities and Social Sciences (TCI-HSS);

(6) The National Central Library Gazette Online;

(7) The National Central Library Government Statistics;

(8) The National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan (NDLTD);

(9) The National Central Library E-Publication Platform System (EPS);

(10) Taiwan Memory;

(11) The National Central Library Digital Audio Visual Archive System, etc. 

These databases could be accessed from the NCL Home Page. 

Besides, the Library has subscribed to about 250 Chinese and foreign languages commercial databases, listed all the databases under a table E-Resources（ELECTRONIC DATABASES）. In the table, there is a column shows the ip/ institutions that could access to the database. For example, some can be accessed only within the National Central Library, some can also be accessed from other public libraries or governmental institutions, and some allow those uses who have registered as NCL member (have registered for an iNCL Account).

In viewing the electronic databases table, users can browse databases list by the following categories: indices/full-text databases, electronic journals, e-books, etc., or by language and subject, or search for the needed database by keywords within the table E-Resources（ELECTRONIC DATABASES）.

(1) Theses:

a. General principle:
Theses deposited in recent 3 years are shelved in the 2nd floor Theses Section (open shelf area). Theses received 3years ago are kept in the closed stacks; users need to do online retrieval request for such closed stacks theses.

b. Theses of law schools:
Theses of law schools deposited in recent 3 years are shelved in the 5^th floor Government Publications and Law Collections Room (open shelf area). Theses of law schools received 3years ago are kept in the closed stacks; users need to do online retrieval request for such closed stacks theses.

(2) Dissertations:

Dissertations are all kept in the closed stacks in the NCL Main Library. Users can do online retrieval request for needed dissertations and use at the NCL Main Library.

There are two major possible reasons for theses and dissertations to be restricted their release: The author might want to take out a patent on his/ her invention in the thesis or dissertation, or want to re-write the thesis/ dissertation into a publication. The Library is not supposed to provide such materials for use.

There are two ways to do recommendations for NCL acquisition:

(1) Fill out ‘Acquisition Recommendation for NCL’ form and turn in through any of the following ways:

a. Turn in to service counters at National Central Library

b. Turn in the form:

-- by mail: Address: No. 20 Zhongshan S. Rd. 100201 Taipei City, Taiwan

-- by fax: 886-2-2371-2088

(2) Filling out an online form: NCL Home Page >Applications> Online Acquisition Recommendation (Form in Chinese)

When searching NCL Online Catalog, have found needed materials but the bibliographic record showed that it is in the closed stacks, if the searcher has applied an NCL Library Card before, then it is possible to do online retrieval request either from inside or outside the Library. However, the requested item will be retained in the Circulation Desk only for the day it is requested. Please be aware of allowed retrieval request time for the following two situations:

(1) For books kept in “Closed Stacks” (Chinese indicated as [典藏書庫],[法律中文書庫],[參庫中文],[參庫西文])，online retrieval request could be done from 00:00 until 30 minutes before the associated reading area is closed for the day. Average waiting time for the requested item is 20 minutes.

(2) For books kept in “Remote Repository”, the library staff would take trips to the Remote Repository for only 7 times a day; leaving time for the Remote Repository is: 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 16:00. Waiting time is varied from 50 minutes (if request is done right before the staff left for the Remote Repository) to 1hour and 50 minutes (if request is done right after the staff has just left, then, has to wait until next trip).

A user can place 5 retrieval request for above situations. After he/ she have taken the requested items, it is possible to request for the next 5 books for each holding situation.

If the needed books are on the open shelves, users can help themselves to get the books.

For preservation and conservation reason, as a principle, duplications of rare book pages are only allowed to do from microfilms or reprints. For special reason that has been approved by the Director of the Special Collections Division, reproduction from originals is restricted within less than 10 pages. 

Charges for reproductions: 

(1) Copy from books: NT$2 per page. Users need to purchase pre-paid copy card and do copy by himself/ herself.

(2) Print out from microfilm by printer: NT$1 per page.

As the National Central Library is the only one legal depository library in Taiwan, the Library bears a mission to preserve all the deposited books for contemporary and future generation. Therefore, all the materials and books are for in-library use only. The Library equipped copiers and scanners for users to duplicate pages of his/ her needs. However, the copyright law of Taiwan (R.O.C.) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The person using such equipment is liable for any infringement.

In the area specifically for using personal laptops in the B1 Study Room, and at some seats in other reading area, there are electricity outlets for user to use. However, when taking such seats and use personal laptops, tablets, or mobile phones, users should be considerate for others, i.e., not to access to illegal websites, playing games, chatting, processing business activities, etc.

The Copyright Law of Taiwan (R.O.C.) and of the countries that the NCL subscribed databases/ purchased books from is quite strict about ‘fair use’ of copyrighted materials. The making of photocopies or other reproductions allows only very limited pages/ parts of an item. USB flash drive allows vast amount of storage thus is very likely to cause copyright infringement. The NCL therefore decided to take this policy to prevent unwanted infringement.

At right side of the lobby area, there are 835 normal size lockers and 4 big size lockers, free of charge, are available for users to store personal belongings. Users can freely use normal size lockers but need to deposit ID to use big size locker. All lockers are provided for use on the first-come, first-served basis. All lockers will be cleaned up each day after the Library is closed. Users are supposed to empty the used locker before leaving the Library. Anything left in the locker after the Library is closed will be disposed without exceptional consideration.