Miscellaneous FAQ

Are there branch or department libraries in addition to the General Library?

Besides the General Library, there are the Medical Library, theLaw & Social Sciences Library, the Law and Political Science Library (excluding the collections of the Department of Social Work, the Graduate Institute of Journalism, and the Graduate Institute of National Development), and the Economics Library. Seven department and institute libraries may also be used by patrons: Math, Physics, Chemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, Library Sciences, Oceanography, and Biochemical Sciences.

Are NTU faculty, staff, and students allowed to borrow books from all branch and department libraries? Can books borrowed from one library be returned to another?

Branch and department libraries are open to all NTU faculty, staff, and students. For different library hours, please refer to this website: http://www.lib.ntu.edu.tw/General/hours/hours.htm

All books that are “Available” according to the online catalog may be borrowed. Books that may be borrowed from one library and returned to another only include books from the General Library, the Law and Social Sciences Library, and the Medical Library. Books from other libraries, however, must be returned to where they were borrowed (Depts. of Economics, Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Atmospheric Sciences, Library Sciences, Oceanography, and Biochemical Sciences.)

How can I donate books to the Library?

The Library Acquisitions Department accepts donations according to the NTU Library Donation Guidelines. To learn more:

1. Those wishing to make book or journal donations may call 3366-2307. Preparing the necessary information (the book’s title, author, publisher and year of publication) and your contact information can shorten the time necessary for processing donations.

2. The Library will decide on handling of all donated materials (e.g. choosing library department responsible, display of materials, donating materials to a third party.)

3. Materials in violation of copyright law and other rules and regulations will not be accepted.

The Library issues certificates of appreciation to all donors. Materials added to the Library’s collections are stamped with a seal of recognition and thanks to the donor.

Where can I apply for an interlibrary loan?

Not including the British Library, the NTU Library currently has interlibrary loan agreements with more than a dozen libraries in universities across Taiwan. Patrons may obtain an interlibrary loan card from the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the General Library before proceeding to the partner library to borrow books. The NTU Library may also borrow and return books on your behalf. Please read about interlibrary loan services for more details.

How do I find periodicals not in the NTU Library?

1. Please search the national serials union catalogs or the catalogs of other university libraries in Taiwan.

2. After finding the periodical within a Taiwan library, apply to have a copy made and mailed to the NTU Library via the interlibrary loan service.

3. If the periodical cannot be found in Taiwan, you may apply via the interlibrary loan service to have copies made by a foreign library and sent to the NTU Library. For more details, please refer to interlibrary loan services.

The name of the periodical I searched for using the index or an abstract is abbreviated. How do I find out its full title?

Please use the reference book Periodical Title Abbreviations: By Abbreviation found at the Information Desk on the first floor of the General Library.

When will books “Being Catalogued” be available on the shelves?

After materials arrive at the Library, the Cataloging Department gives priority to processing ordered books and NTU dissertations and theses. Once the cataloging is handled, it takes between two and three weeks until the catalogued books are placed on the shelves. Urgent cases, including reserved books, are given priority and it takes around three working days to process the necessary procedures.

To facilitate the processing of new materials, the Library has been seeking assistance from the General Affairs Division since November 1994, in the form of a specially designated vehicle that transports newly catalogued books during morning hours to libraries on the main campus, the Law and Social Sciences Library and the Medical Library. All books found in the Library’s online catalog may be reserved. Once the Cataloging Department receives notice of the reservation, that book will be given priority for cataloging. Please feel free to use these services.

Who may use the study rooms in the General Library?

Study rooms may be used by university faculty, staff, students and alumni. Alumni may not use the rooms during exams.

How can I recommend a book for the Library to purchase? How does the Library decide whether or not to buy the book?

On the Library’s homepage, click on Request for Purchase. Please make sure the book is not already in the Library’s collections. General, non-academic titles will be purchased as long as the books meet library purchasing guidelines. These purchases are made by drawing from the library’s budget. Requests for academic titles will be forwarded to library committee members from respective departments and institutes who decide whether to make the purchase drawing from department funds. To find the results of your request, you may click on Request for Purchase Results adjacent to Request for Purchase.