FukuBookLoan (Lucky Bags)

*All the FukuBookLoan bags are gone as of Saturday, January 13. Thank you to all those who participated!

For those who are curious about what items were included in all those bags, click here to find out the secret contents! We hope you enjoyed experiencing the Japanese New Year custom and that this event has helped you discover new favourite authors, amazing film titles, and interesting topics to explore!

*Search the Library’s Online Catalogue to see if the items are currently available to borrow or place hold.

Please continue to check the JFT’s website or newsletter for future event information.

Friday, January 5 @ 11:30 AM – Tuesday, January 30 @ 4:30 PM *Until bags run out.

Admission Free | Registration Not Required

The much-loved event inspired by the Japanese New Year’s culture of Fukubukuro (福袋, “lucky bag”), returns to JFT Library in 2024 with a new name – “FukuBookLoan!”

Starting Friday, January 5th, 2024, JFT Library patrons can grab a FukuBookLoan bag, containing secret selections of books and/or audiovisual materials to borrow from the Library. Enjoy serendipitous discovery from a curated selection of novels, manga, DVD/BR, and more books about Japan or by Japanese authors! It’s a fun way of switching up your reading and watching routine for the New Year!

What is Fukubukuro (福袋)?

Fukubukuro (福袋, “lucky bag”) is a Japanese New Year custom where people buy mysterious sealed bags that are sold for a set price during the New Year period. Many shops, businesses and department stores take part in this tradition and the sales begin on the first business day of the New Year. They typically contain products centred around a specific theme. Usually, the bags are sold at a substantial discount and much less expensive than if you were to buy each item in the bag separately. The Fukubukuro is a very popular, thrilling and highly anticipated event and people often even line up for hours to get the bags.

The term “fuku” (福) means “good fortune” or “luck”, and “fukuro” (袋) – conjugated into “bukuro” – means “bag”.

*The items in the JFT Library’s FukuBookLoan bags are for borrowing only, and not for sales or giveaways. You must check them out and return them to the Library by the due date.

How to participate in the FukuBookLoan event

*Please note the FukuBookLoan event ends when the bags run out or on Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at 4:30 pm (whichever is faster).

1. Get or renew JFT Library Card 
・You need to have a valid JFT Library card to receive a FukuBookLoan bag.
・To apply for a new library card or renew your expired card, please fill in our Library Card Application Form online and show your photo ID along with proof of address at the Library counter. Please note the library card is valid for one year and needs to be renewed with a valid ID.

2. Select a theme tag and pick up a FukuBookLoan bag with the corresponding theme at the Library Counter
・Visit the JFT Library during the Library’s opening hours in January
・Pick up a bag-shaped note with a bag theme from the FukuBookLoan table. *One bag maximum per library cardholder
・Bring the note to the library counter. Staff will grab a bag from the storage and proceed with the checkouts.
・Each bag contains 3 to 4 items. Please note those items will be counted toward the maximum number of items that can be checked out from the Library, which is 15 total items (a 5-item limit for periodicals and audiovisual materials).

3. Enjoy serendipitous discovery & share your thoughts!
・Take the FukuBookLoan bag home and enjoy discovering what’s inside!
・If you are an active social media user, feel free to post about the items in the bag and the FukuBookLoan experience using the hashtag #JFTLibrary

4. Return the items by the due date
・ The items in the bag are for loan and must be returned to the Library within a 3-week loan period (may be renewed once for another 3 weeks if there are no holds pending). You can keep the bag (JFT bag) for yourself.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. New members are always welcome!

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