Background and History
The Oyo State Library Board has evolved significantly over the years, originally established as the Western Nigeria Regional Library in 1955 to support the free primary education initiative of the Western Nigeria Regional Government, led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
In 1976, when Oyo State was created from the Western Region of Nigeria, the library was rebranded as the Oyo State Library under the Ministry of Education. This reorganization included changing the title of the library's head from Director to Chief Librarian, and a revised edition of the law governing the library was issued on March 31, 2000, further updating the head's title to State Librarian, a position requiring professional librarian qualifications.
A pivotal transformation occurred in 1988 when the military administration of Col. Sasaenia Oresanya enacted a law establishing the Oyo State Library Board. Recognized as an autonomous government parastatal within the Ministry of Education, the Board operates under the Oyo State Library Edict No. 18 of August 1988, which has since been revised to the Oyo State Library Law Cap 109 No. 18 of 1988.
The establishment of the Library Board was led by Prof. Adebimpe Aboyade, alongside four professional librarians, including Prof. D.F. Elaturoti (then Dr. Elaturoti) and Mrs. Oderinde (formerly of the Kenneth Dike Library at the University of Ibadan). This Board composition marked the introduction of active library services in the state, with a mandate to provide comprehensive library services that included:
- Library services to rural communities.
- Development and maintenance of library services.
- Training for library personnel across schools, local governments, ministries, and other parastatals.
- Serving as a legal depository for all published works in the state.
In 1999, the State Government officially changed the title of the head of the library from ‘Director’ to ‘State Librarian’, establishing four key directorates:
- Public Library Services Department
- Schools Library Services Department
- Administration and Supply
- Finance and Accounts
The Board operates three functional branch libraries in Ibadan (Elekuro, Samonda, and Secretariat) and two zonal libraries in Ogbomoso and Oyo, which are both fully operational. Currently, the Headquarters complex comprises seven sections and three units:
- Administrative Section
- Accounts Section
- Readers’ Services Section
- School Library Services Section
- Technical Services Section
- Reference Services Section
- Legal Deposit and Nigeriana Section
- Braille Library Unit
- Children Library Unit
- E-Library/CBT Unit
The Library Board has effectively served over three million users over the years.