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Prof. F. Adetowun Ogunsheye first mooted the idea of a school library in 1965 when it was presented as a project to Franklin Publication, who then was in Nigeria investigating the problems of children's books and libraries. The idea arose out of difficulty experienced in training 11(eleven) school librarians in the absence of a reasonable example to demonstrate what a school library is and how it should be organised. 

The proposal was also discussed with the British Council who in July 1971 made a donation of eight hundred and seventy five pounds (£875) towards the project provided, there was a guarantee of local support.  The University of lbadan authority accepted the donation and committed itself to giving the necessary local support having considered the project as a much needed service to the children in the community.

An initial grant of three thousand pounds (£3,000) was provided to restructure the building of the former Abadina dispensary into a suitable library to accommodate the newly established centre. An extension was added in 1978 to provide the audio-visual unit. The Centre was officially opened on Monday 30 June, 1975 by the then Western State Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mr. M.A. Ifaturoti, on behalf of the Honorable Federal commissioner for Education, Lt.Col. A.A. Ali.  

• To create a national and international research centre for the development and management of learning resource materials at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education and in both formal and non-formal sections.  

• To create a centre for librarians, teacher-librarians, school media specialists, educational-technologists, teachers, government officials and illustrators of children books and others, to engage in professional activity in relation to the production of books and other learning resources.

To achieve these objectives, the centre has planned for its execution the following functions:

• To conduct and promote. Educational research into books and learning resources management and production for primary secondary and tertiary levels of education.  

• To secure the publications of such research reports and to foster improvement in the practice of learning resource management in school and education libraries.  

• To establish a model resource centre experimenting on standards for school libraries/media resource centres in Nigeria, and through the: use of books and other media, inculcate the love and desire for books in Nigerian children.

• To promote the establishment of media resource centres as an integral part of the educational system.

• To design and promote curricula for library education in our school system thereby equipping children with appropriate learning skills for life-long learning.  

• To conduct courses of study for school librarians, teacher- librarians, library assistants, children's librarians and media specialists in primary and post primary institutions.  

• To assist Ministries of Education in the regulation of school media services, and the training of Teacher/Librarians in Teachers' Colleges and to moderate such examination as may be required.

• To provide advisory and consultancy services to government, schools, colleges and other organizations in relation to management of school library/media resource centres as may be requested from time to time.

• To organise seminars, workshops, conferences, demonstrations, exhibitions in school librarianship, children's literature and other learning resource materials and their management.  

The users of the center consist of preschool and primary school children, secondary school students, and young adults in non-formal education, undergraduates, lecturers and researchers in the areas of children's literature.  The certre has over 6,000 children users and over 1000 young-adults and adult users on regular basis.  

• Readers Services: The Centre acquires and organises books and non-book materials on all areas of knowledge that are relevant to the school curriculum for the use of children for general information and recreational reading. Materials could either be used within the centre or borrowed. To facilitate the effective use of the multimedia collection, orientation programmes are organised for new teachers and pupils as well as other newly registered readers at the beginning of each school year. The appropriate library use skills are also taught to all users on regular basis.  

• Saturday Story Hour: The Centre organises story hour for children on Saturdays between 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. There are also hubby groups and science clubs organised by the centre for children to develop their talents.      

• Consultancy Services: The Centre offers a range of consultancy services to the public on such matters as establishment of school library media centres, organisation of learning resources, development of children's literature, compilation of special bibliographies on children books and resource materials training of school library personnel, and others on the use of media in education.    

The Centre organises on regular basis, workshops and conferences to promote the development of libraries and learning resources in schools and to train school library personnel.  

• Research: The Centre has produced a number of publications based on research projects carried out at the center from inception. Such publications include:  

                a. Manual for Nigerian School Libraries (1978).  

                b. Syllabuses for effective Use of Books and Libraries (1978).    

                c.  A Select List of Books for Children (1981).  

   d. Effect of Library use Education Programme on Academic Achievement and Social  Development of the Primary School Child (1986).    

• Loan of learning resources to schools: Teachers in nursery, primary and secondary schools borrow learning resources for use in the classroom while registered adult users working with children also borrow learning resources from the centre. Films and other media are taken to school on request for projection to Pupils.  

• Production of Instructional media: To provide the relevant resource materials for the school curriculum, efforts are being made to produce local instructional media which teachers could borrow for use in classrooms.     

• Children’s & Socio-Cultural Programme: The Centre organises drama groups, science club and other hobby groups for children. The center also organizes children’s carnival to develop the talents of the children in drama, poetry and other creative educational activities.  

• Coordinating School Library Programme nationwide: The centre provides the Secretariat for Nigerian School Library Association and coordinates its annual conferences from 1977 to date.    

1. In addition to the existing services, the centre plans to develop a programme of study that would lead to certification of school librarians and recommend the certification for government approval.    
2. Conduct national survey on school libraries and media resource centre to provide useful data for planning, establishing realistic standards and improvement of school library services.  
3. Develop into a national resource production centre that will be self-supporting and producing relevant learning materials for Nigerian schools.  
4. Develop programmed learning methods that have implication for future learning strategies e.g. microcomputer and appropriate software for use in schools.
5. Provide computer literacy education for children in schools.
6. Establish a model secondary school library for teaching and research and as a service to young adults in the neighbourhood.  

1. Accommodation: The Centre needs an  extension to the existing building to accommodate the computer literacy programme, the model secondary school library, a seminar room/multi-Purpose hall, staff offices, and media technology room.  The plan for the new extension has been prepared since 1987 and the sod turned.  However, work could not continue for lack of fund.    
2. Learning Resources and Library Equipment: The ever-increasing number of registered users of the Centre calls for an urgent acquisition of more books and non-book materials and the replacement of worn-out ones. The centre also needs new audio-visual equipment such as film, slides, overhead and opaque projectors as well as appropriate software to replace the obsolete equipment and the worn-out software. New tables and chairs are needed to sit the readers while bookshelves have to be acquired for the new acquisitions. Toys and play materials are needed for the younger children for use during story hours and at other times. The audio-visual and the computer, rooms would need air conditioners to provide suitable storage for the A-V equipment and non-print media.    
3. Micro-computer hardware & software: The Centre requires microcomputer for implementing the computer literacy programme being planned for children by the centre.    
4. Motor Vehicle: The centre needs a saloon or station wagon car or a kombi bus to convey staff and materials in implementing the centre's outreach programmes.  

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