Kenneth Dike Library
University of Ibadan
Discover knowledge, explore resources, and advance your research at Nigeria's premier university library.
About Kenneth Dike Library
The University of Ibadan Library reserves the responsibility to acquire, organise, and provide accessible, high-quality educational resources — including books, journals, reports, monographs, and electronic-based materials — alongside effective services that support the teaching, learning, and research mandates of the institution.
Pursuant to the actualization of this responsibility, the University maintains a three-tier library system with the Kenneth Dike Library (KDL) as the main library and central hub of the system. Other libraries in the system include the Latunde Odeku Medical Library, located about eight (8) kilometers away at the College of Medicine, and twenty-six (26) Faculty, Departmental, and Institute libraries.
Over the years, the physical collections of these libraries have grown significantly, and the current aggregate holding of learning resources in the system is estimated at well over two million volumes. These consist of books, journals, dissertations, technical reports, and monographs, including materials of historical value such as the Africana collections.
The University Library deploys modern technologies alongside analogue resources to provide hybrid library services that meet the exceptional needs and aspirations of its diverse and sophisticated clientele. In addition to the physical collections, the Library subscribes to several electronic databases and curates many other relevant sources to meet specific academic needs of the University, including ProQuest, Research4Life, and Emerald.
Access to some of these databases is Internet Protocol (IP) address controlled, meaning they can be accessed by logging into the University network while on campus. Outside the campus, users can access them through login credentials provided and moderated by the Library.
Furthermore, routine activities and sections of the Library are automated. Bibliographic records of the physical collections are maintained in digital formats, ensuring easy retrieval and access to Library resources anytime and anywhere. The University of Ibadan Integrated Library System (UIILS) is the library management software deployed to manage Library operations effectively.
The Library catalogue can be accessed conveniently from offices, classrooms, and homes at any time, provided there is internet connectivity. Additionally, the digitization of collections — particularly rare materials — is ongoing to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility.
"It is my earnest desire that you take full advantage of the robust Library System in the University and maximize the use of its resources for your academic endeavours."
— Dr. Mercy Ariomerebi Iroaganachi
University Librarian
Our Mission
To provide comprehensive information resources and services that support teaching, learning, research, and community engagement at the University of Ibadan, while promoting intellectual freedom and lifelong learning.
General Information
Opening Hours
Regular Session
Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Regular Session
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Vacation
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Vacation
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Rules and Guidelines
- All students and staff are required to fill the library registration form and produce two passport photographs. This will lead to the issuance of a library identification card valid for the duration of a programme.
- Non-university members who wish to use the library regularly must apply to the librarian for special permission. This is granted only in exceptional cases, with preference given to scholarship and research needs.
- Each reader is registered with borrowing privileges.
- Books must be returned immediately when recalled.
- Books may not be taken away from Ibadan without prior permission of the University Librarian.
- All books borrowed should be returned before a reader goes on leave or leaves Ibadan.
- Reader’s identification cards are not transferable, and all borrowing/renewals must be done in person.
- All users must present their library identification card upon request.
- Readers must submit their bags, books, or materials for checking when leaving the library.
- Silence is required in and around the library. Cell phones must be switched off as readers enter the library.
- Edibles of all kinds are prohibited in the library (except in the coffee room).
Readers can identify books from the shelves after consulting the card catalogues or OPAC.
- Online borrowing of a book can be done from any location. The borrowed book must be physically collected at the Circulation Desk.
- For manual borrowing:
- Identify the book from the shelves after consulting the catalogues.
- Ensure the book is in good condition before taking it to the Circulation Desk.
- Show your library identification card to the assistant.
- Fill the loan cards and ensure the date-due slip is correctly stamped.
- Ensure the loan is properly recorded in your account on the computer system.
- Do not allow others to use your library identification card.
NOTE: The book is now in your keeping. Ensure the “date-due” slip does not drop out of the book.
Number of Loans Permitted: 4 books for undergraduates, 6 for postgraduate/research students, and 10 for academic/faculty staff.
Duration of Loans: 2 weeks for undergraduates, 1 month for postgraduate/research/academic staff. Renewals are allowed once if not requested by others.
- Books must be returned before or on the due date to the Lending Desk where they were borrowed.
- Readers must ensure the library assistant physically receives the book.
- Books must be returned in good condition.
The date imprinted in the transaction slip serves as the only notice of due date.
- A first overdue notice is sent one week after the due date.
- A second (final) notice assumes the book is lost and demands replacement.
- A fine of ₦50 per book per day applies for overdue materials.
- Lost or damaged books should be reported immediately and paid for at the Circulation Desk.
- Stealing, mutilation, or defacing of books is regarded as a serious offence.
Readers resident in Ibadan can apply to the University Librarian through the Circulation Librarian for book loans during holidays, under the usual loan periods.
Required items not held by the library can be obtained from another library through the Reference Librarian, who will coordinate with a sister library. Once received, the material is treated as a normal loan.
A limited number of carrels are available, primarily for graduate students. Applications should be made to the University Librarian through the Reference Librarian for an assigned period.
Lost and found items are kept at the Circulation Desk. Identifiable items are returned to owners, while unclaimed items are forwarded to the Information Desk.
- No eating or drinking in the library.
- Perfect silence is required.
- Mobile phones can be used only in silence mode.
- No reservation of seats.
- No group discussions except in the chat room.
- Users must comply with rules governing computer usage.
- Stealing is a serious offence.
- Library identification cards must be shown at check points.
- Library identification cards are not transferable.
- Users should collect bag tags at the check point.
- Do not leave valuables in your bag when checking in.
- Bags should be kept in the cloak room.
- All materials must be properly borrowed before taking them out.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited.
Attempted theft or mutilation of any library materials is a serious offence. It attracts heavy penalties from the management of the library and the university authority.
Tour of the Library
Main Entrance
The Kenneth Dike Library has two main entrances available to readers, equipped with two security points for the protection of library properties.
- Personal belongings and bags are not allowed inside the reading area and should be deposited in the Cloak Room.
- Bags and valuables are kept at the owner’s risk.
- The main entrance (Porters’ Lodge) serves as the first contact point for users and visitors.
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Library Network
College Libraries
- ▪Latunde Odeku Medical Library – College of Medicine, 8 km from Main Campus
- ▪School of Business Library – Ajibode Extension, postgraduate focus
Faculty Libraries
- ▪Agriculture/Renewable Natural Resources Library
- ▪Faculty of Arts Library
- ▪Faculty of Clinical Sciences Library
- ▪Faculty of Education Library
- ▪Faculty of Law Library
- ▪Faculty of Pharmacy Library
- ▪Faculty of Public Health Library
- ▪Faculty of Science Library
- ▪Faculty of Technology Library
- ▪Faculty of the Social Sciences Library
- ▪Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Library
Institute & Centre Libraries
- ▪Africa Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS) Library
- ▪Institute of African Studies Library
- ▪Institute of Education Library
- ▪Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS) Library
- ▪WORDOC Library
Resources
The Kenneth Dike Library provides access to a wide range of print, electronic, and special collections to support teaching, learning, and research across all disciplines.
Services & Facilities
Inter-Library Loans
Borrow materials from partner institutions
Bindery
Professional binding and preservation services
Document Delivery
Fast digital delivery of research materials
E-Classroom
Digital learning and collaboration spaces
E-Library
Access digital collections remotely
Chat Room
Virtual collaboration and discussion space
24-Hour Service
Round-the-clock access to library facilities
WiFi Access
Free high-speed internet connectivity
Using the Library
Accessing OPAC
Use our online catalog to search for books and materials in our collection. Visit the public terminals or access online.
Connecting to WiFi
Connect to "UI-Library" network and authenticate using your university credentials for free high-speed internet.
Borrowing & Returning
Register your library account at the circulation desk. Borrow books according to your user category and return before the due date.
Off-Campus Access
Access electronic resources from off-campus using your VPN login. Contact the IT desk for assistance.
Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
Organization of Materials
Our library uses the Library of Congress (LC) Classification System to organize materials. This system divides knowledge into 21 broad categories, each represented by a letter of the alphabet.
| Class Code | Category | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| A | General Works | Encyclopedias, General knowledge |
| B | Philosophy & Religion | Philosophy, Psychology, Religion |
| C | Auxiliary Sciences | Archaeology, Geography |
| D | History & Geography | World history, Biography |
| E-F | Americas History | American and Canadian history |
| G | Geography & Maps | Maps, Travel, Anthropology |
| H | Social Sciences | Economics, Sociology, Education |
| J | Political Science | Government, Politics |
| K | Law | Legal studies, Constitutional law |
| L | Education | Teaching, Academic subjects |
| M | Music | Musical composition, Performance |
| N | Fine Arts | Painting, Sculpture, Architecture |
| P | Language & Literature | Languages, Literature, Drama |
| Q | Science | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry |
| R | Medicine | Medicine, Public health |
| S | Agriculture | Agriculture, Animal husbandry |
| T | Technology | Engineering, Applied sciences |
| U | Military Science | Military strategy, Warfare |
| V | Naval Science | Naval engineering, Maritime |
| Z | Bibliography & Info | Library science, Bibliography |