Dr. Henry Maina Abareh was born on 20th April 1963 in Gelengu, Balanga Local Government Area, Gombe State. He started his early education at Tudun Wada Primary School, Gombe (1971-1977). He proceeded to Government College Maiduguri (1977-1982), where he obtained his GCE”O” Level. Dr. Abareh went to further his education at Bauchi College of Arts and Science (BACAS) for his IJMB “A” Level Certificate (1982-1984). Dr. Abareh advanced his studies to ABU Zaria, where he bagged his first Degree in Bachelor of Library Science (BLS) with Second Class Upper Division in 1988. Dr. Abareh started his professional practice in December, 1989 as an Assistant Librarian with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and rose to the rank of Librarian II in 1993. Dr. Abareh attended the Premier University of Ibadan, from 1993-1995, where he obtained Master Degree in Library, Archival and Information Studies (MLAIS). From 1996-2006, Dr. Abareh has risen from Librarian I; Senior Librarian to Principal Librarian and became Head, Circulation, Documents, Reference and Head, Readers’ Services Division respectively within the period. Dr. Abareh became a Deputy University Librarian in 2007. In 2010 enrolled for his PhD degree with the University of Maiduguri from where he graduated with PhD Degree in Library Management in 2016. Dr. Abareh was appointed the pioneer University Librarian to establish the Gombe State University of Science and Technology in July 2018 to March 2022. In the sphere of Academic circle, Dr. Abareh has over 22 peer-reviewed published Journal articles; Taught B.Tech LIS courses at Undergraduate Levels; Taught Diploma courses, Supervised both Undergraduates and Diploma Students’ projects. Dr. Abareh was a member of several University Committees and chaired many University library committees as well for instance: Member, University Publication Committee, Senior and Junior Staff Promotion Committee, Dissertation/Theses Filter Committee, School of Postgraduate Studies, ATBU; PG Board of Studies; Secretary, Library Academic Board; Department of School of Science Board of Studies etc. He was one time Chairman of Task Force Committee on Library Accreditation Exercise; TETfund Library Development Fund Review Committee; Minor Works Committee, GSUST, Kumo; Library Collection Development Policy Review etc. In the professional parlance, Dr. Abareh is a Chartered Librarian in Nigeria; Member, Nigerian Library Association, Member, Association of Committee of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (AULNU), one time Chairman, Nigerian Association, Bauchi State Chapter, one time Editor-In-Chief, Nigerian Journal of Library and Information Service among other professional engagements. Dr. Abareh attended several professional conferences and workshops over time and presented so many academic and professional seminar papers. Dr. Abareh has been working in the University Library System for the past 32years. His research interests are in Library Administration and Disaster Management/Reduction–related studies. Dr. Abareh joined the services of Gombe State University as Substantive University Librarian on April 4, 2022.

The library first started as the library of School of Basic and Remedial Studies (SBRS) in August 2004 with information resources to support teaching and learning in the University with a seating capacity of 100 users at a time. This library was used as the University library until January 2008, when the University Central Library was built with seating capacity of 500 users at a time in order to accommodate the fast-expanding library users. Considering the ever-increasing nature of the University Community, a new structure was built by TETfund to serve as the University main library. The official commissioning of the University main Library was done by Dr. Abdullahi Bichi Baffa the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on Saturday 8th April, 2017. The library complex consists of two-storey building and a ground floor, which was designed to have basic facilities expected in a University library of the best standard. The library has a total floor area of 504.64 Square meters, with a capacity to hold over 200,000 volumes of books and other information resources and accommodates 1800 users at a time. The Library has acquired 56,682 volumes of hardcopies of books, 13,970 journals, and online and offline resources.

The mission and vision of the University library is to support the current and anticipated teaching, learning, research needs; and community service activities of the University through the provision of all relevant library and information resources, facilities, services and personnel to achieve the overall goals of the University.

The objectives are:- • To select, acquire, organize and maintain library resources in all formats for supporting teaching, learning, research and Community Services of the University. • To assist library users to identify, locate, retrieve and access needed information and to also instruct them on how to utilize the resources. • To provide appropriate infrastructure and technologies for operational efficiency and effectiveness of the library services. • To attract, develop and retain qualified personnel for effective and efficient library and information service delivery and systems management. • To participate actively in teaching, learning, research and dissemination of information. • To create, develop, acquire and maintain e-resources and related databases to boost the holdings of the library and enhance exploitation of library and information services.

The Main Library seats 1,804 readers. The library is open to all members of the University Community as well as Alumni of the University. As is traditional among university libraries, postgraduates and academics from other universities are allowed reference-only access to the library's collection, and members of the public may apply for access to use the Library for reference if their research requires access to materials held there. Students and academics from other libraries and institutions must submit a request to access prior to using the facilities in the library. The library is unique in keeping a large proportion of its books on open access and in allowing some categories of reader to borrow from its collection.

Registration is the first requirement for membership with the University library. Membership is open to Council Members; Academic Staff; Non-Academic Staff; Undergraduate and Postgraduate students; Alumni; and ‘Special Users’ under a special arrangement.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
No person should be admitted into the University library until he/she is registered. Registration is valid for one academic session and renewable at the beginning of each academic session by all library users
. 1. Academic/Non-Academic Staff
- 1 recent passport photograph; and
- Original Introductory Letter from his/her HOD.
2. Students: Undergraduates and Postgraduates
- 1 recent passport photograph;
- Photocopy of University Admission Letter;
- Photocopy of Completed and Cleared Course Registration Form; and
- Photocopy of Bursary Receipt; and Valid Student I.D. Card.
3. Special Users
- 1 recent Passport photograph
- Valid Introductory Letters from Institutions/Organizations

This regulation is to make all library users know the extent of their borrowing privileges and limitations. The borrowing rights of our patrons are as presented in the table below:
CATEGORY OF USERS             NUMBER OF BOOKS    DURATION OF LOAN
Academic Staff                                 4                                      1 semester
Senior-Non Academic Stafff         3                                      21 Days
Undergraduates                              3                                      21 Days
Postgraduates                                3                                      21 Days
Library Junior Staff                         1                                      21 Days
Special Users                              NIL
Reference                              Use Only
• Library shall be closed at the time of stocktaking. All books on loan irrespective of Date Due must be returned to the library for that purpose.

The Library will be opened for use as follows:
a. During Session.
Mondays – Fridays 8:00am – 10:00pm.
Saturdays & Sundays 9:00am – 9:00pm.
b. During Vacation.
Mondays – Fridays 9:00am – 6:00pm.
Saturdays & Sundays Closed.
c. Public Holidays Closed.