Get or Renew Library Card
Use your JFT library card to borrow materials from the library and access digital collection (JF Canada Digital Library).
You may apply for a JFT Library card if you are:
- 14 years of age and over
- Residing in Canada** from the date of application for at least three months.
**If you are a resident of USA, please apply through The Japan Foundation Los Angeles to enjoy our digital library
Most of our library materials are available for loan, free-of-charge to registered patrons. To obtain a library card, borrowers should fill out a Library Card Application Form onsite or online. The library card is valid for one year and may be renewed with valid ID and proof of address. The cardholder is responsible for informing the Library when any contact information changes.
To borrow physical materials, you will need to visit JFT Library with your photo ID and proof of current Canadian address (and your JFT Digital Library Card if you applied online in advance) to receive a physical library card.
*Necessary documents to receive/renew your physical library card:
- Photo ID (driver’s license, passport, health card, etc.)
- Proof of current Canadian address (driver’s license, piece of mail with name and current address, bank statement, lease, etc.)
For patrons who are not able to visit JFT Library in person, they may complete the Library Card Application Form online, and a JFT Digital Library Card will be issued, which can be used to access the library’s digital collection (JF Canada Digital Library).
APPLY to get or renew library card
Collection
- Japan-related books, ebooks and audiobooks in English, Japanese, and French on art, culture, design, language, literature, history, sociology, politics, law, and geography
- Reference materials, including Japanese-language dictionaries, bilingual dictionaries, dictionaries of contemporary Japanese language usage, specialised dictionaries, encyclopaedias, various directories, atlases, etc.
- Japanese-language study and teaching materials, which include CDs and DVDs
- Feature films, anime, performing arts programs and documentaries in DVD and Blu-ray
- Music recordings by Japanese composers and performers on CD
- Japan Foundation publications
- Online databases: JapanKnowledgeLib and CiNii *Available for on-site patrons in Library
- Newspapers, popular magazines and academic journals – View the library’s subscription list.
Borrowing: Physical Items
Show How many items can I sign out at once?
Patrons may borrow a maximum of 15 total books (including manga), and up to a maximum of 5 of other media types (but no more than 15 items total). For example, 10 books and 5 CDs, or 5 books, 5 periodicals, 5 DVDs.
Except for the reference collection, most library materials are for circulation. The following items are available for loan for 3 WEEKS:
- Circulation Books (BK)
- Texts and Audio Kits (KIT)
- CDs
- Magazines and Periodicals (PER)
- DVDs and Blu-rays (excluding those marked with the yellow “NEW” sticker)
- Video Tapes (VID)
- Manga (MANGA_E, MANGA_J, MANGA_F and MANGA_B)
The following items may be taken out for 1 WEEK:
- “NEW” DVDs and Blu-rays (marked with the yellow “NEW” sticker)
- JLPT test materials, between the months of September and December
Materials may be renewed once for an additional loan period: online, by phone, by email or at the library, if there are no fines or holds pending.
Regardless of the format, 20 cents per day per item will be charged for overdue materials. There is no charge for weekends and holidays.
When circulating materials are lost or damaged, the patron will be required to pay for the replacement cost. Replacement cost will be the purchase price of the item. The library does not accept replacement copies. If you find the item within 6 months of paying the replacement cost, you may request for a full refund with receipt.
Show I’m not a member of JFT Library. Can I still borrow?
Interlibrary loan services are available for non-members of JFT Library. Please contact the library for more information.
Borrowing: Digital Items
* Any questions about how to use Libby? Check the Libby’s official help videos
Show How can I enjoy ebooks/audiobooks?
Ebooks are viewable with tablets, phones, computer or dedicated ebook readers, smart speakers and in-car assistant systems. View these FAQs to learn how to use your particular device to browse, check out, and download ebooks/audiobooks.
Show Borrowing Digital Materials
Patrons must have a valid Japan Foundation Toronto Library card number to borrow from the Digital Library. Enter your library card number, PIN (last four-digits of your phone number) to sign in.
If you are unable to make a physical library card, you may still apply for a digital library card. Please complete the Library Card Application Form.
Patrons may have up to 5 ebooks and audiobooks checked out at any given time. This does not include the maximum of 15 physical books from JFT Library.
The default lending period for ebooks is 21 days. Borrowed materials will expire automatically at the end of the checkout period. You may, however, return items early to make them available for other library users.
Late fines are never applied in the case for ebooks and audiobooks.
Materials may be renewed 3 days before they expire if there are no holds pending. If the item is unavailable for renewal, you may place a hold.
Digital library materials that are not currently available (indicated by the “Wait List” banner above cover image) can be placed on hold.
Show Troubleshooting: Login Problems
You may be unable to log in or check out items if your library card has expired or you have forgotten your PIN.
If your library card has expired, please complete the Library Card Application Form and check “Renew Library Card” (Q13).
You cannot change your default password on the Digital Library. Please contact the library if you wish to change your password.
Feel free to email JFT Library at library_jftoronto@jpf.go.jp for further assistance.
Show Digital Content and Privacy Policy
OverDrive, Inc. services are governed by their own privacy policies and practices. Please consult their
Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions for more information.
Show How do I log in to borrow items from the Digital Library?
Visit libbyapp.com/library/jf and click on the “Sign in” button. On the Libby App, find JFT Library under “Add A Library” from your user profile. Log in by entering your library card number and PIN number (last four-digits of your phone number).
Show When I try to log in, I get an error message that my library card has expired. What do I do?
JFT Library cards must be renewed annually. Complete the Library Card Application Form and check “Renew Library Card” (Q13). Please note that the library may take 1-2 business days to respond to your requests during regular operations.
Show How do I change my default password on the Digital Library?
The password for your digital library access is independent from your account password on JFT Library Online Catalogue. Please contact the library if you wish to change your PIN number on the Digital Library.
Show How do I search for digital library materials?
You may search for library materials on JFT Library Online Catalogue for both print and digital library materials. For digital materials, open the item’s catalogue details and click the first URL link under “Elect. Loc./Access”. You will be rerouted to the item’s Digital Library webpage.
You may browse exclusively for digital library materials on libbyapp.com/library/jf. Search by title or author, either in English or Japanese. You may also browse for more titles by subject or collections and narrow your search results by availability and language.
Show I’m not a member of JFT Library. Can I still borrow books from the Digital Library?
You may apply for a JFT Library card if you are:
- 14 years of age and over
- Residing in Canada from the date of application for at least three months.
You may apply for a physical library card by visiting JFT Library with photo ID and a proof of address.
For patrons who are not able to visit JFT Library in person, you may complete the Library Card Application Form and a digital library card will be issued.
Show I can’t visit JFT Library in Toronto. Can I still become a member?
Yes. As long as you are 14 years of age and over and residing in Canada for at least three months from the date of application, you may apply. Please complete the Library Card Application Form. You will be issued a digital library card by email. Please note that to borrow physical materials, you will need to visit JFT Library in person with valid ID for a physical library card.
Show I see that a book I want is available at the library, but not digitally. How can I borrow?
If you wish to borrow physical materials from JFT Library, you will need to visit JFT Library with photo ID and proof of address for a physical library card. If you are unable to visit the library in person, you may request for interlibrary loan services through your local library. Please contact the library for more information.
Please email JFT Library at library_jftoronto@jpf.go.jp for further assistance.
