The University of Lagos Library is the hub for academic work in the university. All academic related functions such as teaching, research, and learning find their support base in the library where all types of documents, are categorized for easy access to members of the university community. The main library was established in 1962 saddled with the responsibility of complementing the teaching, learning, and research of the institution headed by Professor Yetunde Zaid . The library moved to its present permanent site in Akoka Yaba, in September 1965. Other prominent (branch) libraries include the Education library, Taslim Olawale Elias library, etc.
History
The library first started on the third floor of a former secondary school building which then temporarily housed the university at Idi-Araba while a plan for the building of the university permanent site at the North East of Yaba Adjoining the Lagoon was accelerated. The temporary accommodation was used till August 1965 when the library moved to its present building. The building was centrally air-conditioned. It was also designed to have a bindery, photocopying unit, audio-visual section, lecture theatre, and other basic facilities expected in a university library of the best standard. The first University Librarian was Miss Elizabeth M. Moys. She held the office from 1963 to 1965. She began the development of the library collections with the active collaboration of some academic staff. Materials on reference and another subject to support the teaching and research efforts of the academic community were acquired.
The Indian Merchants Association of Lagos later donated some money and grant–in-aid for the establishment of the Gandhi Memorial Research Library which is now popularly called Gandhi Library. Other senior members of the library staff who worked with Miss Moys, the university librarian at the early stage, include Mr. B.A. Amaechi, Mrs. P. Shoyinka, Mr. C.C. Momoh, Mr. S.A. Orimoloye, Mr. H.A Odetoyinbo, Mr. A. Nitechi and others.
The university crisis of 1965 affected the various units of the university and the library was no exception. Many members of the library staff, including Miss Moys resigned. Mr. B.B. bankole took over the mantle of leadership as the acting university librarian and his appointment was later confirmed. By September 1963, the university library had acquired 12,121 volumes and 300 bound materials were added through the fund provided by UNESCO mission working in the Engineering faculty and the selection by library staff. The library collections reach 100,000 volumes of books by 1971.
The present building of the library consist of three stories and underground floor, a total floor area of 63, 360 square feet, with a capacity to hold over 250,000 volumes and seat 800 readers.
Vision
The University Library’s vision is to be the primary and foremost source/vessel of reliable information for the University Community in its quest to realize its noble vision concerning teaching, research and community services.
Organizational chart
The university librarian heads the library and is responsible to the vice chancellor for the day-to-day running of the library. For ease management and narrower but reasonable span of control, the internal administrative structure is organized into eight major departments. They are as follows:
University Librarian's Office (Administration)
Reader's services Department
Acquisitions Section
Serials Section
Automation/Institutional Repository Laboratory
Gandhi Library
Gift and Exchange/Bindery
Chronology of University Librarian
Prof. Yetunde Zaid 2019 - date
Dr (Mrs.) FADEHAN, Olukemi Adebimpe (2013 - 2019)
Location of Faculty Libraries
Faculty libraries are established to complement the university library's collection in the provision of effective library services. Library collections are developed in line with the curriculum of study of each faculty and all collections are arranged by the Library of Congress Classification Scheme.
Faculty of Arts Library
Faculty of Business Administration Library
Faculty of Education Library
Faculty of Engineering Library
Faculty of Environmental Sciences Library
Faculty of Law - Law Library
Faculty of Pharmacy Library
Faculty of Science Library
Faculty of Social Sciences Library
College of Medicine Library
All the faculty libraries are domicile within the premises of the faculty except the Faculty of Law Library which is situated on the ground floor of the University Library building.