# Tokyo Metropolitan Library
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{{Short description|Public library system in Tokyo, Japan}}
thumb|Central Branch of the Tokyo Metropolitan Library
{{nihongo|'''Tokyo Metropolitan Library'''|東京都立図書館|''Tōkyō toritsu toshokan''}} is the metropolitan public library system for [Tokyo](/source/Tokyo), [Japan](/source/Japan).
==Libraries==
The Tokyo Metropolitan Library has two branches. The Hibiya Library, a third branch, was closed on April 1, 2009.[{{cite web |url=http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/13/index.html |title=東京都立日比谷図書館のトップページ |website=www.library.metro.tokyo.jp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000621022414/http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/13/index.html |archive-date=2000-06-21}}] Both branches provide access to free public Wi-Fi, printing and photocopying services, and public computer access.[{{Cite web|title=Central Library|url=https://www.library.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/english/central_library/|access-date=2021-04-27|website=Tokyo Metropolitan Library|language=en}}]
thumb|Tama Branch of the Tokyo Metropolitan Library
The Metropolitan Central Library is located in the [Minami-Azabu](/source/Minami-Azabu) section of [Minato](/source/Minato%2C_Tokyo). The library was founded in 1973 at the current location of the central branch. The library is free and open to the public, although not all collections are available to all people at all times. The library also has arrangements with over 300 smaller local public libraries allowing interlibrary lending privileges.[{{cite web |url=http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/1b/1b100.html |title=Metropolitan Central Library(The guidance of the central library) |website=www.library.metro.tokyo.jp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000930113149/http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/1b/1b100.html |archive-date=2000-09-30}}] The Central Branch seats up to 900 people and provides access to wireless Wi-Fi and online databases.[{{cite web |url=http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/1b/1b200.html |title=Metropolitan Hibiya library(The Guidance of the Hibiya library) |website=www.library.metro.tokyo.jp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000930113159/http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/1b/1b200.html |archive-date=2000-09-30}}]
The Tama Library is located in [Tachikawa](/source/Tachikawa%2C_Tokyo) in [Western Tokyo](/source/Western_Tokyo). The library opened in 1987 to relieve municipal libraries.[{{cite web |url=http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/1b/1b300.html |title=Metropolitan Tama Library(The guidance of the Tama library) |website=www.library.metro.tokyo.jp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010303004339/http://www.library.metro.tokyo.jp/1b/1b300.html |archive-date=2001-03-03}}]
==Holdings==
Although not as deep as the collection of the [National Diet Library](/source/National_Diet_Library), which houses 44,187,016 items,[{{Cite web|title=Statistics {{!}} National Diet Library|url=https://www.ndl.go.jp/en/aboutus/outline/numerically.html|access-date=2021-04-27|website=www.ndl.go.jp}}] The Tokyo Metropolitan Library houses a large collection of books, periodicals, and audio-visual materials.
The Central Branch holds 240,000 volumes, including a large collection of rare materials, showcasing over 40,000 documents pertaining to the history of Tokyo ([Edo](/source/Edo)), some of which date back over 400 years. Books are divided by subject - Reference, Social Science, Humanities, Natural Science. Of note is the opening of a "regional history research center".
The Hibiya Branch holds 130,000 volumes, including 4,000 foreign volumes. It also maintains holdings of over 1,000 different magazine periodicals and nearly 200 different newspapers.
Total holdings (including volumes in storage) of the Metropolitan Library are estimated at 1,480,000 volumes.
==Locations and access==
Central Branch: 5-7-13 Minami-Azabu [Minato](/source/Minato%2C_Tokyo), 106–8575. It is located in the [Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park](/source/Arisugawa-no-miya_Memorial_Park). Accessible by foot from [Hiroo Station](/source/Hiroo_Station) on the Subway [Hibiya Line](/source/Hibiya_Line), [Azabu-Juban Station](/source/Azabu-Juban_Station) on the Subway [Namboku Line](/source/Tokyo_Metro_Namboku_Line), and the Azabu-Juban Station on the Toei Subway [Oedo Line](/source/Oedo_Line). (Coordinates: {{coord|35|39|7.5|N|139|43|34.8|E|region:JP-13_type:landmark|display=inline}})
Hibiya Branch (Closed in 2009):