Because the NDL Tokyo Main Library (Nagata-cho, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo Prefecture) had nearly reached its full storage capacity, it was decided to build a new facility that would serve as a 'digital library' for the highly advanced information society; the new facility was built in Kansai Science City (Keihanna Science City) (Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto Prefecture), and was opened to the public as the Kansai-kan of the NDL in October 2002.
東京都千代田区永田町に所在する国立国会図書館・東京本館の蔵書収容能力が限界に達しつつあるため、高度情報化社会に対応した「電子図書館」の機能をも盛り込み、2002年10月に京都府相楽郡精華町の関西文化学術研究都市に開館した。