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:

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.

(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 their 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 

If the NCL Online Catalog shows that a material is in the closed stacks, users with an NCL Library Card can submit an online retrieval request, whether inside or outside the library. The item will be available at the Circulation Desk only on the day of the request. Please note the allowed retrieval times 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 stored in the "Remote Repository", library staff make a maximum of seven trips per day to retrieve items. The departure times for these trips are 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, and 16:00. The waiting time for retrieval can range from 50 minutes (if the request is made right before the staff leaves) to 1 hour and 50 minutes (if the request is made just after the staff has already left, requiring the user to wait until the next trip).

A user may submit up to five retrieval requests at a time for these situations. After receiving the requested items, they can submit up to five additional requests for books in the same holding category.

If the required books are on the open shelves, users may help themselves to retrieve them.

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 only legal depository library in Taiwan, the National Central Library has a mission to preserve all deposited materials for both current and future generations. Therefore, all materials and books are available for in-library use only. The library provides copiers and scanners for users to duplicate the pages they need. However, the Copyright Law of Taiwan (R.O.C.) governs the reproduction of copyrighted materials, and users are responsible for any potential infringement.

In the B1 Study Room, as well as at certain seats in other reading areas, there are electrical outlets available for users with personal laptops. However, when using these seats and devices such as laptops, tablets, or mobile phones, users should be considerate of others by refraining from activities such as accessing illegal websites, playing games, chatting, or conducting business activities.

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, lockers 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.