Services
Various services provided by the University Library are listed below:
Research
The university advances knowledge through dedicated research teams in various departments, institutes, and centers, spanning arts, science, technology, and other key areas. We maintain a centralized database system to manage research information and publications efficiently.
Additionally, our university promotes interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and students to drive innovative research across diverse academic fields, fostering an environment where knowledge and expertise from various disciplines converge to address complex global challenges.
News & Events
Stay Engaged: Dive into Our Library News & Events.
SPEECH BY THE NEW UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN (DR. RICHARD BRUCE LAMPTEY), KNUST*
*At the First Meeting with Library Staff* Good morning, distinguished colleagues, It is with deep humility and great enthusiasm that I stand before you today as the new University Librarian of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. I am truly honoured to join this community of dedicated professionals who have worked tirelessly to uphold the reputation and excellence of our University Library — one of the finest in the nation and indeed on the African continent. First and foremost, I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to my predecessor and to all of you, the hardworking staff, for your unwavering commitment to service, scholarship, and innovation. The successes the KNUST Library has achieved over the years are a testament to your collective effort, creativity, and resilience. As we begin this new chapter together, I see our library not just as a storehouse of knowledge, but as a dynamic centre for learning, research, and collaboration — a place where technology meets tradition, and where ideas can flourish freely. Our mission remains clear: to support teaching, learning, and research by providing timely access to relevant information resources and services. However, the landscape of librarianship is changing rapidly. The digital age presents both challenges and exciting opportunities. We must therefore continue to innovate — embracing digital transformation, strengthening our information literacy programmes, expanding access to electronic resources, and ensuring that our spaces remain vibrant, inclusive, and user-centred. I believe strongly in teamwork and open communication. Each one of you — from the senior librarian to the newest assistant — plays an integral role in the success of this institution. Your insights, creativity, and passion will guide our collective journey forward. My leadership philosophy is rooted in collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect. I encourage us all to share ideas, ask questions, and work together as one strong KNUST Library family. In the coming weeks, I will be meeting with various sections and units to learn more about your work, challenges, and aspirations. Together, we will develop a shared vision and a strategic plan that aligns with the broader goals of the university — a plan that will position KNUST Library as a model of excellence in academic librarianship across Africa. Let us approach this journey with renewed energy, a spirit of innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The future of the KNUST Library is bright — and together, we will make it even brighter. Thank you, and I look forward to working closely with each of you. *Ayekoo, and may we continue to uphold the proud tradition of KNUST — *“Nyansapo wosane no badwen ba” — “The knot of wisdom is untied by the wise.”
Dr. Richard Bruce Lamptey has officially assumed duty as the new University Librarian of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.
Dr. Richard Bruce Lamptey has officially assumed duty as the new University Librarian of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, pledging to lead with collaboration, innovation, and openness as the library embraces digital transformation. Addressing staff at his first engagement meeting, Dr. Lamptey said he was “deeply honoured” to join a community of dedicated professionals whose work has sustained one of the nation’s most respected academic libraries. “It is with deep humility and great enthusiasm that I stand before you today as the new University Librarian,” he said. “I am truly honoured to join this community of dedicated professionals who have worked tirelessly to uphold the reputation and excellence of our University Library, one of the finest in the nation and indeed on the African continent.” He expressed appreciation to his predecessor, Dr. Samuel Kotei Nikoi, and commended all staff for their “unwavering commitment to service, scholarship, and innovation.” “Our library is not just a storehouse of knowledge but a dynamic centre for learning, research, and collaboration; a place where technology meets tradition, and where ideas can flourish freely,” Dr. Lamptey remarked. “Our mission remains clear: to support teaching, learning, and research by providing timely access to relevant information resources and services.” Emphasising the rapidly changing landscape of librarianship, he called on staff to embrace digital tools and innovation. “The digital age presents both challenges and exciting opportunities. We must therefore continue to innovate by strengthening information literacy, expanding access to electronic resources, and ensuring our spaces remain vibrant, inclusive, and user-centred,” he said. Dr. Lamptey reaffirmed his commitment to teamwork and transparent leadership. “Each one of you, from the senior librarian to the newest assistant, plays an integral role in our success. My leadership philosophy is rooted in collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect,” he noted. “Let us share ideas, ask questions, and work together as one strong KNUST Library family.” He announced plans to meet various library sections in the coming weeks to discuss their work, challenges, and aspirations toward developing a shared strategic plan aligned with the university’s vision. “Together, we will position KNUST Library as a model of excellence in academic librarianship across Africa,” he said. “The future of the KNUST Library is bright, and together, we will make it even brighter.” The session also introduced Mrs. Felicia Amankwah, the new Senior Assistant Registrar, who succeeds Mrs. Janet Ampah, and Dr. Edward Mensah Borteye, who assumes the role of Deputy University Librarian. Both outgoing officers were commended for their dedicated service. Mrs. Amankwah urged staff to “work collaboratively, uphold mutual respect, and maintain open communication in pursuit of excellence,” while reaffirming her commitment to supporting the library’s administrative efficiency.
A FAREWELL MESSAGE FROM DR SAMUEL NIKOI (UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN, KNUST. 2016-2025)
Today (31st October, 2025) marks my official day of retirement from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Almost ten (10) years ago, I made the courageous, yet bold, decision to move from the United Kingdom to Ghana to serve my nation as the University Librarian at KNUST. My decision to relocate to Ghana was driven by my passion for education and learning, in which library services are a vital part. With nearly twenty-five years of experience in librarianship at the time, I observed a troubling mindset both in Ghana and abroad, especially in Africa, where many viewed education as teaching based on indoctrination rather than genuine learning opportunities. This teaching-focused view of education, which prioritises obedience and conformity over questioning, creativity, and innovation, was deeply worrying to me. I was also troubled by a library practice characterized by an obsession with learning resources, mostly imported from Western countries, which often served as decorative items on ornate shelves rather than being actively used or integrated into the educational process. I was eager to collaborate with you and the university management to reshape the narrative and challenge the outdated perceptions of libraries held by many academics, who often view them merely as information repositories. This limited perception of what our noble profession of Librarianship represents, one that has been the cornerstone of prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge, was damaging the profession's image, but more critically, it was also harming education and human capital in Ghana. Over the past decade, we have worked diligently, with the support of university management, to transform library practices here at KNUST. Developments in the KNUST learning environment, including specially designed learning spaces to support different learning styles, technology-mediated learning systems, operational service initiatives (such as twenty-four-hour services during peak times), and access to print and digital learning resources, demonstrate what we have collectively achieved. The Library Mall stands as a centrepiece and testament to the new momentum in higher education libraries across Ghana. The Times Higher Education ranking of KNUST as No. 1 for quality education (SDG4) also affirms what we have accomplished together. Going forward, I encourage you all to look positively towards the future and to support the incoming University Librarian, Dr Richard Bruce-Lamptey, in pioneering new developments in the country's educational sector. Richard, like me, is also deeply passionate about the growth of library practice. He is knowledgeable and brings a wealth of experience to the field. Together, you should work to envisage a future filled with hope and transformation for our noble profession. I expect you to confront the habits that hinder the development of our profession. Things can appear differently when we change the way we perceive them. The comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there. Life is a one-time offer, don’t waste it. Die empty. I am forever grateful to all of you, senior members, senior staff, junior staff, administrative staff, drivers, and cleaners, for making this journey a memorable one. For those of you who opposed some aspects of my vision, I also want to express my gratitude. I learnt a lot from our disagreements, and they helped shape our practice. I leave you with the words of Martin Luther King Jr: “If you can't fly, then run; if you can't run, then walk; if you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward”. I am proud of you all for being noble staff members of a twenty-first-century library service to KNUST. Goodbye, and may the good Lord bless you all.
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August 2023Elsevier Workshop
10:00 AMOnline