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.
KNUST, Book Aid International Discuss Partnership Opportunities to Boost Medical Library Collections
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) and Book Aid International are initiating discussions on a potential partnership aimed at strengthening donation of medical and health sciences resources at the University’s library. The Chief Executive of Book Aid International, Alison Tweed, said their visit to KNUST was to assess opportunities to support KNUST with up-to-date medical textbooks and reference materials. ‘‘We are here to discuss possibility of donating medical books to the KNUST library,’’ she said. Alison explained that the organization works closely with leading global publishers, noting that its primary medical donor is Elsevier, alongside contributions from SAGE Publications, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, and Pearson. “In an average year, we distribute about 80,000 medical books to partners across Africa, including teaching hospitals, university departments, and health training institutions,” the representative stated. “Our visit to KNUST is to understand your acquisition strategies and explore how we can work together to supply relevant medical books for your collections.” She emphasized their organization’s commitment to quality and relevance, indicating that donated books are typically no more than five years old and largely consist of new titles. The organization also highlighted its tailored selection approach, which is guided by needs assessment forms completed by partner institutions. “We pride ourselves on listening closely to our partners’ requirements,” Alison added. “Whether it is nursing, midwifery, orthopaedics, or other specialisms, our goal is to ensure the books we send are aligned with institutional priorities.” Dr Bruce Lamptey, University Librarian, outlined the University’s collection development strategy, explaining that academic resources are centrally procured and distributed across colleges, with additional subject-specific acquisitions undertaken at the college level. The Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Christian Agyare welcomed the initiative, describing access to current medical literature as critical for teaching, learning, and research. Discussions also addressed logistical considerations, particularly customs clearance and associated charges.
KNUST Library System Welcomes 2025/2026 National Service Personnel
KNUST Library System Welcomes 2025/2026 National Service Personnel The KNUST Library System officially welcomed its 2025/2026 batch of National Service Personnel on 8th December, 2025, at the Prempeh II Library Building. The orientation brought together newly posted personnel, senior members of the library system, and departmental heads to familiarize the personnel with the operations and expectations of the system. The session was opened by the University Librarian, Dr. Richard Bruce Lamptey, who warmly welcomed the new personnel and congratulated them on their posting. In his address, Dr. Lamptey emphasized the importance of professionalism, discipline, teamwork, and a strong desire to learn. He reminded them that the National Service period is a unique opportunity that will add immensely to their knowledge base, especially within an academic environment that thrives on research, innovation, and effective information management. The personnel were later introduced to the various departments within the KNUST Library System. Heads of units explained their roles, highlighted ongoing activities, and described how each department supports the university’s teaching, learning, and research agenda. This guided the personnel to understand the workflows, expectations, and the collaborative nature of library services at KNUST. Dr. Lamptey encouraged them to work hard, noting that the attitude they bring to the role will significantly influence the value they gain from the service year. He urged them to stay committed, ask questions, and embrace the learning experience fully. The orientation concluded with an interactive session where the personnel engaged the facilitators with questions and shared their expectations for the year. The KNUST Library System looks forward to a productive and impactful year with the new National Service Personnel and remains dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for growth and professional development.
KNUST Library at Forefront as COPYGHANA and IFRRO Push Collective Licensing for Academic Integrity.
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Library has taken a frontline role in strengthening copyright compliance across Ghana’s tertiary education sector, partnering with the Reproduction Rights Organisation of Ghana (COPYGHANA) and the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO) to train universities on collective licensing and responsible use of academic materials. The event brought together legal scholars, international experts, authors, publishers, librarians and practitioners from copyright bodies including the Copyright Licensing Agency (UK) and the Copyright Clearance Center (US). Participants examined strategies to ensure that creators receive due recognition while supporting the ethical use of educational materials. KNUST University Librarian, Dr. Richard Bruce Lamptey, said copyright compliance is not only a legal mandate but a scholarly responsibility. He emphasised that academic integrity, research sustainability and the economic viability of authors depend on respect for copyright. He noted that KNUST plays a “dual identity” in the copyright ecosystem, both as a major consumer of academic materials and as a producer of knowledge through its researchers, authors and innovators and therefore must uphold strong copyright practices to protect its intellectual community. Acknowledging the complexity of enforcement, he said, “The challenge before us is simple to articulate but difficult to execute.” Justice of the Court of Appeal, Dr. Poku Adusei, addressed the long-standing balance in copyright law between private rights and public access to knowledge. Drawing on jurisprudence from English, American, Canadian and Ghanaian courts, he said copyright must incentivise creativity while avoiding rules that impede cultural progress. “Comparative experience has confirmed that copyright balances two competing interests: the public interest and the private interest,” he stated. He outlined five key lessons for tertiary institutions and cautioned against rampant free-riding on intellectual property, urging respect for fair-dealing principles, institutional responsibility and strict adherence to the law. He concluded, “There is no way out than for our tertiary institutions to respect the laws on copyright.” International copyright expert Olav Stokkmo, consultant to WIPO and IFRRO, presented data showing that only one percent of students pay for the intellectual property they use, despite almost all relying heavily on authors’ works. He said this underscores the urgent need for systems that ensure proper recognition and compensation for creators. The workshop featured two high-level panel discussions. The first, “Copyright Compliance in Ghanaian Universities,” included contributions from Dr. Lucy Afeafa Ry-Kottoh, Richard Obeng Mensah, Ernest Oppong and Dr. Wale Okediran, with an intervention from Sheila Narki Djagmah of the Copyright Office. Panelists discussed measures to build copyright-aware academic environments and reduce infringement on university campuses. A second panel, “Looking Forward: From Digital to AI,” led by James Bennett (CLA, UK) and Victoriano Colodrón (CCC, US), explored copyright implications of rapid digital transformation and artificial intelligence in higher education. Dr. Adusei reiterated that collective licensing remains the most sustainable and efficient mechanism for copyright enforcement in tertiary institutions. He encouraged continued engagement with copyright law as a way of strengthening institutional compliance and safeguarding the intellectual property of creators.
2
August 2023Elsevier Workshop
10:00 AMOnline