The Beginning
Prior to establishment of the branch, the kwara State Library Board met with her supervising Ministry to request from the State Government to request for establishment of Kwara State Branch. When approval was given by the State government knowing well the conditions that must be met before the branch is established, the State library board was instructed to secure an apartment to accommodate the Branch and assisted to set up the library.
The Kwara State Branch was established on 13th of October 1980 among the second generation branches under the administration of the first indigenous National Librarian Dr. Simeon B. Aje. Today, it is an impressive of literacy and with enough space to accommodate the researchers and administrative offices.
October 1980, the National Librarian chose Mr. Abdulwahab Fola Adio to be the first head of Branch. He served from 1980 to July 1987. By December 1980, the branch Library purchased its first furniture, received books from Lagos head office, and two library Assistants were employed to commence work immediately. Mr Adio, manually created a public card catalog. Some members of Staff were seconded to the branch from the headquarters of National Library of Nigeria in Lagos and the Kwara State Library Board for effective take off. By 1981, the branch had acquired a land for its building, keeping hope with architectural design of the prototype. While seeking funds for construction, the piece of land was revoked for non-development. In 1984, another piece of land was reallocated to build the prototype permanent structure. The branch first library accommodation occupied in 1980 became less spacious as the library continue to grow. The increasing volume of books and rates of circulation forced the library to move to larger space on the same Offa road, Ilorin.
July 1987, Alhaji Abdul-Ganiy, A. Adebimpe was deployed from Lagos to head the branch, following Adio’s transfer of service to another institution in1987.
Mr. Eboh, J.O. was prepared to resume as the head of branch in 1993 but he was deceased. In 1996, Mrs. Obada, A.M replaced the late Mr. J.O. Eboh as head of the library, becoming the first woman to take on the position.
The branch moved to former SDP Secretariat at Kulende Estate Ilorin in 1996, under Ilorin East Local government Area.
1997, witnessed another female as the fifth Head of the Library. Mrs. Balogun, A.M. acted for a short time before Mr. Omotola, E.G. took over in 1998. The Library served its community so well that it keeps recording high volume of use that continues to increase significantly each year.
2001, Mallam Mohammed, S.A. was deployed from Abuja to head the branch. In 2003, the Education Trust Fund supported the library with computer systems and internet connectivity. This led to change in information search and retrieval and one "of the first libraries in the nation featuring Internet Café service. The branch provide public computer access, Wi-Fi accessible, and offer free programs and activities for users.
2004, the piece of land reallocated to the branch, again suffered revocation. In 2006, the Branch was moved out to occupy its third temporary accommodation, at the Herald newspaper premises on the premise of National Open University establishment in Kwara State.
2007, Mr. Odeleye, S.O. took over the position of the head of Branch, led a transformation in many of the Library's services and operations, including placing reference books and popular titles on open book shelves. He was deceased in 2010.
2010, Mr. Ajayi, J. A, became head of branch for two years after Mr. Odeleye’s demise. Ajayi was the most senior member of staff at that time. The state branch began to witness more changes the Library got its first online database subscription, it benefited from former President GoodLuck Ebele Jonathan 72 E – library initiative across the nation through NCC/USPF project which provided 50 computer systems, printers and scanner to the library.
The Library Building
October 2012, Mrs. Olani, O. Kafayat (Deputy Director), became the head of branch, taking over from Ajayi, who was on transfer to another State Branch.
In 2013, the Branch recorded a huge in-person visits, circulated a unprecedented number of items, set a record of over 1,400 participants throughout its Readership Promotion Campaign both in town and at the grass root communities at her expense.
We are excited to share our impact story, our commitment to service excellent has helped in 2013 and 2014 consecutively, the National library gave the branch the letter of commendation and recognize the Branch for its "outstanding contributions" to the community.
Librarians at work respond to the information needs of users who walk-in or phone-in with questions and facilitate inter library cooperation.
In 2019, the head of branch mobilized friends of the library in the state to secure a reallocation of a piece of land which was granted at the New G.R.A Budo Osho under Ilorin South Local Government for construction of the branch’s permanent site. Based on previous experiences Prof. Lenrie O. Aina, during his tenure ensured the library took possession and constructed brick fence around it.
Mrs. Olani, O. Kafayat (Head, Kwara State Branch) and Mr. Taye Alaya of Bureau of Lands on the plot of Land allocated to National Library of Nigeria Kwara State Branch at Budo Osho, Ilorin South Local Government Area, Ilorin.
Successively, February 2022, Prof. (Mrs.) Veronica C. Anunobi held handing over ceremonies for the Library prototype building to the contractor when she visited Kwara State.
The branch’s Progressive Stage.
The construction of the prototype branch building began in February 2022.
January 2023, the branch re - opens after historic renovation.
The renovation expanded the structural facilities with a state-of-the-art conveniences, ambiance and restored the reading Hall, as well as the E- Library through optimized user experience and friendly functionality.
