BRIEF HISTORY
A small medical library was established in 1956. A standard and efficient m e d i c a l l i b r a r y a n d information service is a sine-qua-non for effective mental health service delivery. A bigger new medical library was completed in 1982. Dr Oyesola was the hospital's first Medical Librarian. He was succeeded by Miss O. A Kaitell. The Library is currently headed by Dr Tomori, O. Oyinade. It subscribes to local and international scientific journals and houses volumes of relevant info resources of various kinds such as text books, periodicals, reference materials, special collections and audio visual materials. In order to effectively serve the diverse categories of library users within the hospital, DATER library, Postgraduate Library, Lantoro Annex Library, and School of Psychiatric Nursing Library were established as extensions of the Main Library.
PHILOSOPHYAND OBJECTIVES
Philosophy
To uphold the principles of professionalism in library and information service delivery.
To be a first-class provider of information solutions, outstanding and decentralised services to support personnel training and enable accurate diagnoses, treatments, research, and the improvement of the mental health of the patients at Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.
Objectives
I To acquire, organise, maintain and make accessible all relevant info resources for the advancement of the hospital's tripartite mandate.
To provide free access to info resources, regardless of location.
To collect, capture and publish info resources (in all formats) to meet the needs of staff and clients of the hospital and to support the various aspects of the institution: teaching, training, research and clinical service.
To ensure that such resources available are current, appropriate and freely accessible at all times.
To provide and maintain conducive reading environment for the clients.
To promptly deliver effective library services that are individualised or privatised.
To decentralise information and knowledge through optimisation of emerging technologies.
C. FUNCTIONS
The basic functions of the department include the promotion of research and education, the dissemination of information, and the promotion of best practices of mental healthcare. Wherefore, the expanded diverse
functions of the library are entrenched in the provision of the following services:
Reader's Advisory Services
Current Awareness Services
Library Orientation
Books/Journals Acquisition
Cataloguing and Classification
Indexing and Abstracting
Bibliographic Services
Book Loaning
Inter-library Loans
Selective Dissemination of Information
Library Extension Services
Bibliotherapeutic Services
Research and Teaching Services
Photocopying Services