Abstract

This research work investigated the Improvement of Internally Generated Revenue of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. The study was guided by four objectives which inc u es to, i en ity the avenues through which MOUAU library generates revenue internally, identify the ways y w ic e internally generated revenue can be used/managed judiciously, pinpoint constiaints to improvement o internally generated revenue in MOUAU library, suggest ways of improving the internally generating revenue in MOUAU library. A descriptive research design was used for the study. The area of the study was Abia State, Nigeria. A total population of 57 respondents consisting of the library staff of MOUAU library and all were sampled and used. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Tie instrument produced in accordance with the research questions, were face validated by the expert lecturer from the Department of Library and Information science, who is the researcher’s supervisor. The researcher distributed 57 copies of the questionnaire to the respondents personally and all were correctly filled and returned, representing 100% return rate. Frequency tables, standard deviation and mean scores were used for data presentation and analysis. The results ofthe findings revealed that the avenues through which MOUAU library generates revenue internally are; compilation of bibliography, consultancy services, grants/aids, reprographic services, indexing and abstracting services, increment of fines and registration fees, binding, sale of recommended text books, reference services, proof reading and editing of manuscript charges, use of e-resources internet search, fee-based services. The study also revealed that the ways through which the internally generated revenue in MOUAUL can be used judiciously are; proper appropriation, Funds should be handled by management only, the funds should be handled by management and staff, a priority list should be drawn, purpose for usage should be defined before the funds are generated, only honest people should handle the fund, proper account should be given after usage, excesses should be saved. From the findings, it was also revealed that the constraints to improvement of internally generated revenue in MOUAUL are as follows; lack of management commitment to library services, the amount generated is misappropriated by the library management (past incidence of misappropriation), library infestation by rats and rodents thereby causing unrepaired damages to the available library facilities, most of the educational facilities are so expensive to be purchased using internally generated revenue, library management prioritizes staff welfare with the use of internally generated revenue at the expense of library facilities provision, inadequate structures for effective and efficient accountability and transparency. The study suggested strategies of improving the internally generated revenue of MOUAU library as; extension of loan period in order to attract more users, provision of adequate resources to attract more users, expansion of reading halls to attract more users, the money realised from photocopying can be used to maintain the machines which will enable it to be in constant working condition as this will increase the amount realised from this source, tight security to prevent harassment of users, provision of suggestion box and improving consultancy services. The study also made recommendation such as; the management of the academic institutions must properly sensitize their staff on the importance ofthis exercise such that seriousness will be attached to it and there will be accountability. It also recommended that the library management must be ready to give certain percentage ofthe income generated to the staff at the end ofthe year as a way of encouragement.