Available records show that the Cathedral Library was established under the Education Sub- Committee, one of the Sub-Committees of the Standing Committee, in the year 1996. The inaugural five member Committee comprised the following:-

Mrs. O.A Olaitan, Mrs. Susan.Olugbolabo Ogun (decease), Mrs. B.E Olubobokun, Mrs Gbolahan Abisogun Alo and Revd. now Venerable Julius Obada Obieh.The Sub-Committee members are appointed annually. Members are eligible for re-appointment at the discretion of the Standing Committee. For the year 2011, the Education Sub-Committee comprises the following: - Mrs. Ayodele Odugbesan (Chairperson), Miss. Yvonne Aleyideino, Mrs. Edugie Amihere, Miss. Yetunde Daniel, Mrs.Folake Oshin,Prof. Olufemi Sowemimo, CPA, and Mr. Olanrewaju Atitebi.

 

 

 

 

Over the years succeeding Sub-Committees continually review the objectives. For now they are:-
(i) To provide religious materials for the parishioners
(ii) To provide books to help Cathedral members understand their own faith and to help them understand other cultures and other religious beliefs.
(iii) To provide books and other materials of inspiration and books emphasising moral and spiritual growth.
(iv) To provide opportunities for both young and old members of the Cathedral and members of other churches regardless of their church denomination to access information on the Christian religion (Anglicanism in particular) and Church life in general.
(v) To provide reading materials to facilitate such education.
(vi) To provide books on leadership and programme planning for the church services.
(vii) To serve as Reference Library for the priests of the Anglican Church and other Denominations, Students in the Theological Colleges, Universities and other institutions interested in improving their religious education.

 

 

 

The Library started in a small room then being used as a store by the Cathedral. The Official Opening was performed by the Provost of the Cathedral at that time,The Very Revd. Dr. Segun Okubadejo now Rt. Revd. Dr. Segun Okubadejo, Bishop of Ibadan North, on Sunday, 8th March, 1998.
Very few books were available and an equally small space for readers. The Library’s popularity in these early days was centered on the availability of daily newspapers.

 

 

 

When the Cathedral conceived the idea of building the Cathedral House to provide offices for both Clergy and staff,a Church Hall and Clinic, among others, the decision was also taken to provide a functioning Library for the Cathedral.
The cost of providing the library on the 4th floor of the new Cathedral House was underwritten by a parishioner, Mr. Gbolade Osibodu

A lot of work and effort went into this Library project to develop it to a standard that will attract recognition and the accreditation of the National Library. Many current books were purchased while a large number of reference religious books were donated by families. Shelving was provided and cataloguing was professionally carried out. With effect from 1999 the Library began provision of 2 daily Newspapers including weekends. Weekly Newsmagazines were added at a later date. Bound volumes of both the newspapers and newsmagazines are available for reference purposes. Books are continually donated by families and institutions.

 

 

 

The atmosphere welcomes all and sundry. There is a free Internet Connection for users who need information on the net.

 

 

 

The Library’s excellent facilities are still being used by the Priests, parishioners, bankers, higher institutions and scholars for their projects on church building and church administration. The average user per day ranged, at inception, from 5-10. This number has steadily risen. Today it is possible to have between thirty to forty patrons on daily basis.

 

 

 

The services of the Librarian have been under capable hands since inception. The size, scope and content of the Library in its early days dictated the employment of non professional Librarians. The vision to expand brought up the need to employ professional Librarians from 2002. Mrs. Florence Esiolee(2003-2005) was followed by Mrs. Felicia Folasayo Oni(2006-2008). As the desire of professional Librarians is to work in bigger institutions, it has not been easy to keep them in the Church environment. However, members of the Sub-Committee with competence in the field have been of tremendous assistance.