John Harris Library is organised into four major divisions namely:
* Administrative Division,
* Readers’ Services Division,
* Technical Services Division and
* Branch Libraries Division.
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
The Administrative Division, headed by the University Librarian is responsible for personnel recruitment, discipline, welfare, budgeting, library development – planning and equipping of library offices and buildings – updating the existing facilities, preparation of statistics, reports, memoranda, etc.
READERS’ SERVICES DIVISION
The Readers’ Services Division comprises:
* the Circulation Section,
* the Reference Section,
* the Special Collections Section, and
* the Reserved Collection Unit / Textbook Collection Unit.
Circulation Section
This section, headed by the Circulation Librarian is mainly responsible for shelving and shelf-reading of collections in the Open Access area, library users’ registration, checking out and checking in of books (borrowing and returning of books), and staff and students’ library clearance.
Reference Section
Reference Section is headed by the Circulation Librarian and basically renders assistance to library patrons by providing them with answers to online/offline queries and assist/guide users on their research. This section also ensures that the computer systems for OPAC and internet access at the main library are running as long as the library is opened.
Special Collections Section
This Section houses publications of government and non-governmental agencies, theses and dissertations and the heritage collection. To put it bluntly, this unit collects and organises rare materials that are not found in regular bookshops.
Textbook Collections Unit
This Unit houses a collection of recommended course materials in the various courses offered in the University of Benin. It serves as a reserve for library materials, especially heavily used materials in order to ensure that most users needs are met.
TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION
The Technical Services Division comprises:
* the Acquisitions Section,
* the Bindery OR Binding Section
* the Cataloguing and Classification Section,
* the IT Unit, and
* the Serials Section
Acquisitions Section
This Section is responsible basically for the acquisition of all library books. The Section is also responsible for the reception and preliminary processing of books donated to the library.
Bindery
This Section provides facilities for the preservation of books and journals, not only for the library, but also for all library users and outsiders. It also binds students’ projects, theses and dissertations, etc.
Cataloguing and Classification Section
The Cataloguing Section is responsible for the organisation (cataloguing and classification) and management of all library resources. Resources which come into the library in different formats and disciplines are sorted out and organised in this Section for quick and easy storage and retrieval.
IT Unit
This Unit, usually refers to as Systems Unit manages all electronic and digital activities, including e-learning and training, software installation and management, hardware installation, and web development and maintenance, and database management. The current NewGenLib Integrated Library Management Software used in the library is managed by this Unit. Included in the IT Unit are the Donald Partridge e-Learning Centre and the MTN Foundation / NetLibrary UniversitiesConnect e-Library.
Serials Section
This Section acquires, organises and houses all serials/periodical publications in the library – bulletins, dailies (newspapers), journals, magazines, newsletters, etc.