The University Library grew from a college Library that was established in 1970, and transited into a university in 1980 by an Edict. From 1970 to October 2002 the library complex was housed in temporary quarters at the old site of the university. At present, the total collection stands at about 140,000 volumes including the collections of all the satellite libraries (i.e. faculty and department libraries, as well as the off Campus Library at Onne --- about 10km away from the central library site at the main campus of the University). Current serials holding is about 2112 titles . About 2317 reference materials are available to the clientele, while some 15,048 of various materials are received as gifts and exchanges. The Central Library has a seating capacity for 2000 readers excluding those of the satellite libraries. Total floor space available for readers and the collection is over 41,700 square metres.

The Library's book collection comprises texts needed to support the teaching functions of the University and specialized texts to support research at all levels. There is also a strong reference and bibliographical collection in the various libraries covering Engineering Science, Management Science, Law, Environmental Science, Technical and Science Education. The Library at the Onne Campus serves to support teaching and research undertaken at the Rivers Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (RIART).

The Bruce Powell's Bio-Diversity collection comprises the animal species that are peculiar to the Niger Delta ecosystem of Nigeria . The Cyber Café located right inside the Central Library provides Internet services to all students and staff of the University.

From the foregoing, the Library has ten (10) working Divisions, some of which are merged and headed by one Librarian due to lack of adequate personnel. The Figure 1 below shows the organogramme of the RSUST Library System. The Librarian's office is the co-ordinating Department.

PULICATIONS ISSUED BY THE LIBRARY

•  Library Guide

•  Library Bulletin and Accessions Record

HOURS OF OPENING

(A) Central Library

During Semester Monday-Friday -8am -8pm

During Vacation: Monday-Friday - 8am-1pm

Weekends : Saturday - 8am-1pm
Sunday - 1pm-6pm

Public Holidays: Closed

(b) Faculty and Off Campus Libraries

During semester Monday-Friday 8am-4pm

During Vacation: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm

Weekends and Public Holidays Closed