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The Lagos Library established in 1932 was one of the notable libraries that could serve the bibliographic or cultural needs of literate Africans and also colonial civil servants during the pre-World War 2 era. However, the library was later judged as ineffectual in the development of library provision in Nigeria.

During the early periods of development in Nigeria, government interest in library development was nil, the first Governor-General, Frederick Lugard would have little to do with a public library for financial reasons. However apart from the Tom Jones Library and the special libraries supported by the government, notably the law library, few libraries existed that could serve as a bibliographic center or reference point until the Lagos Library was established. However, full access by           

Africans were hampered as the library was operated and sustained through the charging of high fees.

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The moving figure behind the library’s creation was Sir Alan Burns, author of the ‘History of Nigeria’, he was also an important figure in an expatriate book club in Lagos. Burns enlisted the financial support of the Carnegie Foundation which contributed the bulk of the 6,000 pounds used for establishing the library and the book club’s books were later transferred to the library. 

The venture was Carnegie’s major contribution to West Africa. By 1933, the library had a collection of close to 5,000 volumes of books with fiction making up close to half of those, the library also had service to a few other cities other than Lagos. However, its clientele during its early years of existence was 10% African and 90% white.

In the 1950s, the library was given a wing at the Lagos Museum and though it received less attention from Carnegie, the influence of its members kept it going. Towards its end in 1975, the library was taken to a garage of the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

Other private and Public Libraries in Lagos State

• ZODML Community Library

Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries, 196 Awolowo Road, Lagos

• The Ilupeju Public Library (not sure that’s the name), Opposite LSDPC, Illupeju, Lagos State
• Badagry Divisional Library

Marine Road, Badagry, Ojo, Lagos

• Fola Sasegbon Memorial (Law) Library

46, Akinsoji Street, Fadeyi, Shomolu, Lagos

• Entry Carr Public Library

Behind Conoil Petrol Station, Cement, Agege, Lagos

• Ikorodu Divisional Library

T.O.S. Benson Road, Ikorodu, Lagos

• Lagos Books Club (The College Library)

House 27, 5th Avenue, M Close, Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos

• National Library Of Nigeria

227, Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Lagos, Nigeria

• Strexfree Library

Saint Finbarrs College Road, Akoka, Shomolu, Lagos, Nigeria 

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• Fola Sasegbon Memorial Law Library

46, Akinsoji Street, Fadeyi, Shomolu, Lagos, Nigeria

• Crimmd Library

138, Ejigbo Idimu Road, Ejigbo, Oshodi Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria

• Crystal Library Solutions Ltd

18, Tijani Ashogbon Street, Bariga, Lagos Mainland, Lagos, Nigeria

• Rainbow Book Club

(PRO Office) 1  Maitama Sule Street, Ikoyi, Eti Osa, Lagos, Nigeria

• Lagos State Library Board

1, Oba Akinjobi Street, G.R.A, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

• Tolu Public Library

Temidire Street, Tolu, Ajeromi Ifelodun, Lagos, Nigeria

• Gani Fawehinmi Library And Gallery

Nlp House, Otunba Jobi Fele Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

• Central Medical Library

Murtala Muhammed Way, Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Lagos, Niger

• LeanHub Library

39A, Awudu Ekpegha Boulevard Street, Off Admiralty Road, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos

• Grill Information Centre

17, AgaRoad Street, Sabo Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Lagos, Nigeria

• Club Change Training Centre, Amuwo-Odofin Industrial Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, Nigeria
• Myrtle Tree Bookshop And Bookclub

28, Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Oshodi Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria

• Read e-Books Rite

11, Adekunle Fajuyi Road, Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

• Lagos State E-Learning Center

14, Odunlami Street, By Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria

• Centre for Contemporary Art Lagos Library

9 McEwen Street, Yaba, Lagos.