The IOU Central Library also provides searching assistant services to all users related to the library books, thesis, and e-books. For items not located on the shelf or easily accessible in the catalog, inquiry can be made at the circulation desk where assistance will be provided.

Searching in Collections

• Searching Library Catalog

The Central Library portal provides access to a rich collection of all IOU Libraries. This provides users the facility to check the status of available resources, issued status, fine history, search history, books issued to patrons and much more.

• Searching IOU Libraries Union Catalog

The IOU Libraries Union Catalog is developed for all the IOU Libraries i.e. Gambia, Ghana, Kenya (currently inactive),Malawi,Nigeria,Sierra Leone, Somalia (currently Inactive),Tanzania (currently inactive),Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Rwanda (under construction), Eswatini, and Zambia (under construction). Patrons can search the Union Catalog of all libraries through one interface.

• Searching Thesis Dissertations of Library

The IOU Libraries portal provides access to the thesis and dissertations of all IOU departments. The software called DSpace developed by MIT University USA is the same one used by IOU Libraries to manage all kinds of digital resources. Patrons can access all digital contacts of the University through DSpace Institutional Repository Software.

Searching IOU Digital Library

The IOU Libraries portal also provides search facility of IOU digital library resources.

• Searching Local Digital Library (E-Books)

The IOU Libraries also provides search facility of the local digital library. Through the local digital library, patrons can access thousands of digital books, articles, and much more.