Abstract
This study examined the role of system librarians in diversifying revenue in university
libraries in North-east, Nigeria. The study was guided by four objective and one hypothesis
A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 27
system librarians from six selected Federal University Libraries in North-east, Nigeria,
namely Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Federal University Kashere, Federal
University Wukari, Modibbo Adama University, University of Maiduguri, and Federal
University Gashua. The entire population was adopted for the study using an enumerative
approach. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using mean
and standard deviation, while Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC)
was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that
system librarians were not substantially involved in diversifying revenue in university
libraries, with a cluster mean of 2.47. Most digital library services were also not effectively
utilized as significant sources of revenue generation, with a cluster mean of 2.49. However,
system librarians made some contributions through specialized electronic information
services, digital marketing, online document delivery and fee-based online services. The
findings further revealed that inadequate funding, poor internet connectivity, high
electricity costs, inadequate technical skills, shortage of qualified personnel and obsolete
ICT infrastructure were major challenges affecting the sustainability of revenue-generating
digital services, with a cluster mean of 3.20. The hypothesis test showed a significant
positive relationship between the roles of system librarians and revenue diversification (r
= 0.58, p = 0.004).
Keywords: System librarians, revenue diversification, digital library services, revenue
generation, university libraries.
Publication Date: 2026-10-31