central services

Direction de la Bibliothèque et des Archives (DBA)

Université de Lomé > Direction de la Bibliothèque et des Archives (DBA)

Common Documentation Service

The University of Lomé has entrusted the Common Documentation Service with the management of university libraries, the construction, management of the supply of resources and documentary services to support the university community and Togolese citizens in research and throughout studies and facilitate academic success.

Our goal is to provide innovative and relevant library services to support the University of Lomé to be an internationally renowned university. This will be done through the provision of excellent resources, services, collections and spaces, and through collaboration and partnership focused on deeply understanding user needs.

The higher education environment continues its rapid pace of change with new technologies, pedagogies and financial uncertainties disrupting and challenging traditional modes of academic delivery. Additionally, the changing nature of information provision presents both opportunities and challenges for academic libraries in general. It is more important than ever that our Department actively engages in thinking about its role in the digital age and how it provides services to the university community.

Library history

The University Library was created at the same time as the University of Benin in 1970 by Decree No. 70-156/PR and was placed directly under the authority of the Rector. A Library of Law and Letters, one of Sciences, and one of Medicine were set up in the buildings of the different establishments and at the CHU-Tokoin. The current building will only be built in 1987 on an area of ​​1800 m2. Thus, the different collections of the libraries of the Faculties, Schools and Institutes were grouped there, with the exception of three libraries which remained in their respective establishments. These are that of the Mixed Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at CHU-Tokoin, that of ESA and that of INSE. It should be noted that no regulatory text has been taken to create this institution and assign it specific missions and objectives neither in its operation nor in its organization. Only a text creating an Advisory Council was taken on April 16, 1991 by decree No. 005/UB/R/91 with the mission of formulating suggestions for all questions concerning the organization of the University Library, its rational management for the benefit of the university community. Following the merger of the library and the Archives Management Directorate (DGA) of the University of Lomé, by decree No. 158/2019/MERS, a new name was adopted: Library and Archives Directorate ( DBA/UL).

Presentation

The Common Documentation Service of the University of Lomé brings together around the central library (the BU), the libraries and documentation centers of the faculties and schools of the UL (component libraries), which serve the entire university community and all disciplines taught at the University of Lomé.

University Libraries

The BUs are work and living spaces deployed on the campus of the University of Lomé. You will find documents in all areas of knowledge, in printed or online form (books, theses, journals, specialized databases, etc.), as well as numerous services for the success of your studies (loan of documents, work rooms, etc.) and cultural activities organized all year round for pleasure and discovery (exhibitions, conferences, theater at American corner, etc.)

Accessibility

Accessible to students, teachers, researchers, staff as well as people outside the university, the Service acquires and makes available documentation intended for UL students which covers all disciplinary fields of the University of Lome

Essential allies for training and research, university libraries, in addition to being a space reserved for the acquisition of knowledge, are also places of culture, integration and sociability.

Assignment

The University Library and its Annexes are mainly of interest to students, teachers, researchers and other staff carrying out their activities at the University of Lomé as well as any other public.

Considering the decree No. 158/2019/MESR merging the University Library of Lomé (BUL) and the Directorate of Archives Management of the University of Lomé (DGA-UL), the library now bears the name: the Directorate of the Library and Archives of the University of Lomé (DBA-UL)

The DBA-UL is responsible for:

  • identify, acquire and make accessible the documentary resources essential to students, researchers and teacher-researchers at the University of Lomé;
  • train students, researchers, and teacher-researchers in the use of documentary resources;
  • develop documentary, digital resources and collections;
  • accompany and support teaching and research activities at the University of Lomé;
  • provide an adequate and conducive framework for intellectual activity;
  • disseminate educational and scientific production;
  • offer technical support to institutions and organizations that express the need;
  • manage the archives of the University of Lomé to facilitate their conservation and communication in terms of research and promote their vitality.

Vision

The vision of the DBA is to create and offer an environment favorable to the blossoming of critical and imaginative spirit, to the satisfaction of needs relating to multidisciplinary study and research tools, and to the strengthening of culture of excellence among learners, teachers and administrative staff.

We ensure equitable access for all to documentation, knowledge and information; and valorization through the promotion of knowledge produced by national researchers, in particular. We guarantee a welcoming environment and a space for discussion that excites the discovery and taste of the great subjects of the century. The DBA intends, by fulfilling its mission, to contribute to the influence of the University of Lomé by serving as an ideal framework for the intellectual, socio-cultural and educational development of members of the university community.

Our partners

Internal regulations

The internal regulations of the DBA in force also in its annexes specify the rights and duties of users, as well as the sanctions incurred in the event of non-compliance. Any user of the Directorate of the Library and Archives, by virtue of their registration or use of the various services, is subject to these regulations and undertakes to respect them.

1-Behavior

  • 1.1 – Respect and courtesy must govern relationships, on the one hand, between users and, on the other hand, between users and DBA staff. Any inappropriate or insulting behavior towards staff or other users may result in temporary exclusion.
  • 1.2 – All users must come to Reception to present their card and/or for information.
  • 1.3 – Respect silence and calm, including in circulation areas (hall, corridors, stairs, etc.)
  • 1.4 – The introduction of animals is not accepted; with the exception of dogs accompanying people with disabilities.
  • 1.5 – Users are not allowed to transform the reading room into a dormitory.
  • 1.6 – Comply with the instructions given by staff.

 

2-Respect for documents, furniture, premises and obligations of users.

Documents, furniture and premises are part of the common good made available to users. Therefore, it is obligatory to make special use of it.

  • 2.1 – Consumption of food and drinks in the Library is prohibited. Users are asked to use the trash cans provided to them. Also it is forbidden to stick chewing gum on furniture.
  • 2.2 – Smoking or vaping is prohibited in the Library.
  • 2.3 – Highlighting, annotating, defacing, cutting out pages of documents on loan or on site are not authorized. Traces and deliberate damage are sanctioned by the Director.
  • 2.4 – Before the loan, you must report any damage noticed to the staff and avoid carrying out any repairs yourself.
  • 2.5 – Do not move the furniture and put the chairs back in place. It is strictly forbidden to handle air conditioners.
  • 2.6 – The user must take care of the equipment (tables, chairs, etc.) and maintain the cleanliness of the premises (floor, walls, windows, toilets.)
  • 2.7 – Inscriptions, graffiti and stickers on tables, chairs, walls, windows… are noted as damage and will be subject to repair and compensation and/or sanctions.
  • 2.8 – Noisy devices are not permitted in all rooms of the Library. It is advisable to turn off or put the phone or tablet in silent mode.
  • 2.9 – Any display is subject to prior authorization from Management.

3- Use of IT resources and materials

  • 3.1 – At the disposal of users, the DBA provides photocopiers and printers for the reproduction of extracts of documents against payment. Furthermore, no document may be reproduced in its entirety.

For conservation reasons, the staff in charge of this service may prohibit the reproduction of bulky or fragile documents.

  • 3.2 – Access cards and password are individual. Abusive or fraudulent use of digital resources and means of access engages the responsibility of the holder and may lead to their suspension and/or outright withdrawal.
  • 3.3 – Users are not allowed to modify the configuration of the equipment offered or to install software or to disconnect the connections from the stations.
  • 3.4 – Connecting laptops to the DBA’s electrical outlets or network outlets does not engage the liability of the University of Lomé in the event of breakdown or damage to the devices.
  • 3.5 – Controlling the user of computer stations during and after their use is the responsibility of the staff in charge.

4-Responsibility of the DBA and Users

  • 4.1 – The DBA is not responsible for accidents of which a user is a victim and the cause of which is not linked to public equipment or due to staff. The same applies to damage caused to the reader’s property on the premises.
  • 4.2 – Each user has the right to lend two (02) works or collections for a period of two (02) weeks, renewable.
  • 4.3 – The user is responsible for documents borrowed under their reader card until the recorded transaction is returned. The DBA Library card is personal and non-transferable. Any loan made with another user’s card gives direct responsibility to the holder of the card used. Therefore, any user whose card is lost or stolen is obliged to notify the DBA with a declaration of loss signed by a competent authority.
  • 4.4 – Each user is responsible for their personal effects and objects. The DBA is not responsible for theft or any damage resulting from disputes between users. Theft and attempted theft of furniture, materials, collections and works as well as their damage are punishable by sanctions, the terms of which are defined by the Management.
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5-Sanctions

  • 5.1 – DBA staff are responsible, under the responsibility of the Director of the DBA, for ensuring compliance with these regulations to ensure optimal working conditions. Then all staff have the necessary authorization to require a user to comply with the regulations and for the latter to identify themselves or leave the premises.
  • 5.2 – In the event of non-compliance with staff instructions, and/or following an infraction noted, an incident report will be drawn up and sent to the DBA management.
  • 5.3 – Excessive delays of a few days to one (01) week of the loan period for works or collections are punished by a suspension of loans equal to the duration of the delay. Beyond one (01) week, penalties are payable and will be proportional to the purchase price of the book (the quota is set by Management.)
  • 5.4 – In the event of difficulty, users are asked to report to the Management secretariat in order to extend the loan period.
  • 5.5 – The DBA requests replacement or reimbursement of documents not returned or damaged. The prices applied are proposed by the Management.
  • 5.6 – The user may have their borrowing rights temporarily or permanently withdrawn. The user may be excluded temporarily or permanently from the premises of the DBA. These sanctions will be posted in the premises of the DBA and wherever necessary.

Service organization

Director

Lastname : Dr GBANDEY

Firstname : Sadji N’Gbansonhfi

Email : sgbandey@univ-lome.tg

Deputy director

Lastname : Mme MERAT 

Firstname : Hongma Enyonam 

Email : hmerat@univ-lome.tg 

Principal Secretary

Lastname : GBEDEMAH

Firstname :  Djigbidi Adjo

Email :  e-mail : bul_ul@univ-lome.tg