Abstract
The National Library of Nigeria (NLN) faces critical identity and relevance gap in the digital
era, where “libraries” are often equated without dated, silent book ware houses. This paper
argues that strategic rebranding, anchored on digitalization, rebranding services and
proactive outreach, is non-negotiable for NLN's survival and national impact. Drawing on
post- 2020 literature and NLN's recent initiatives, the paper identifies (1) the urgency for
rebranding (2) the shift from passive custodianship to active community engagement, and (3)
a frame work for outreach-led rebranding. This paper takes the unequivocal position that
outreach is not one of NLN's functions, it is the function. In the Fourth Industrial Revolution
(4IR), a national library that cannot demonstrate daily, measurable impact in schools,
markets, hospitals, and online communities has no justification for public funding. The paper
conclude that unless outreach becomes NLN's primary keep performance indicator (KPI),
rebranding will fail. NLN must evolve from “duty-based storage”to“delight-based service” by
leveraging digital transformation, local partnerships, and open knowledge to meet Nigerians
information needs.
Keywords: National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Rebranding, Outreach, Digital Transformation,
Reading Culture, Public Libraries, 4IR.
Publication Date: 2026-07-31