Transforming Library Services: Social and Technological Factors Shaping Digital Adoption among Young Users
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32678/tarbawi.v11i03.11688
Abstract viewed : 140 times
| 
PDF downloaded : 101 times
Keywords:
Library service transformation, digital adoption, social factors, technology, user interestAbstract
This study aims to identify the key social and technological factors influencing the adoption of digital library services among young users and to formulate innovative strategies that enhance library attractiveness in the digital era. A quantitative approach was employed, using multiple linear regression analysis of survey data collected from 210 respondents across several urban public and academic libraries, complemented by 20 semi-structured interviews with active users and library managers. Data were processed with SPSS to examine the effects of perceived usefulness, ease of use, social norms, and environmental support on digital service adoption. The findings indicate that perceived benefits (β=0.42, p<0.01) and ease of use (β=0.35, p<0.01) significantly influence user interest in adopting digital services, while social norms and environmental support (β=0.25, p<0.05) also play important reinforcing roles. Conversely, factors such as self-confidence and perceived risks show weaker effects, suggesting the need for further psychological exploration. Interview data highlight that interactive features, active promotion, and user-friendly interfaces are crucial in shaping positive experiences and increasing adoption. The study strengthens the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with psychosocial perspectives and provides practical strategies for adaptive, user-oriented, and culturally relevant library services. Future initiatives should expand research into rural libraries and integrate cultural variables to ensure inclusive and sustainable digital transformation strategies.
Downloads
References
Agárdi, I., & Alt, M. A. (2024). Do digital natives use mobile payment differently than digital immigrants? A comparative study between generation X and Z. Electronic Commerce Research, 24(3), 1463–1490. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10660-022-09537-9
Allouhi, A., Rehman, S., Buker, M. S., & Said, Z. (2022). Up-to-date literature review on Solar PV systems: Technology progress, market status and R&D. Journal of Cleaner Production, 362, 132339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132339
Ashe, I. (2025). Time to Go: Aspirational Framing and Place-Making in Domestic Travel Journalism. Journalism Practice, 19(6), 1344–1361. https://doi.org/10.1080/17512786.2023.2244931
Beisler, M., & Baker, L. (2025). Open Access Resource Management Among Academic Research Libraries in the United States. Technical Services Quarterly, 42(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317131.2024.2432092
Caffaro, F., Cremasco, M. M., Roccato, M., & Cavallo, E. (2020). Drivers of farmers’ intention to adopt technological innovations in Italy: The role of information sources, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. Journal of Rural Studies, 76, 264-271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.04.028
Cain, J. O. (2016). Using Topic Modeling to Enhance Access to Library Digital Collections. Journal of Web Librarianship, 10(3), 210–225. https://doi.org/10.1080/19322909.2016.1193455
Ceipek, R., Hautz, J., De Massis, A., Matzler, K., & Ardito, L. (2021). Digital Transformation through Exploratory and Exploitative Internet of Things Innovations: The Impact of Family Management and Technological Diversification. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 38(1), 142–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12551
Chan, C. K. Y., & Lee, K. K. W. (2023). The AI generation gap: Are Gen Z students more interested in adopting generative AI such as ChatGPT in teaching and learning than their Gen X and millennial generation teachers? Smart Learning Environments, 10(1), 60. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00269-3
Chan, G., Banire, B., Ataguba, G., Frempong, G., & Orji, R. (2025). A panoramic view of socio-cultural sensitivity in digital technologies: a comprehensive review and future directions. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 41(4), 1917-1945. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2372135
Chang, C.-W., & Chang, S.-H. (2023). The Impact of Digital Disruption: Influences of Digital Media and Social Networks on Forming Digital Natives’ Attitude. Sage Open, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231191741
Ćirić, J., & Ćirić, A. (2021). The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Digital Library Usage: A Public Library Case Study. Journal of Web Librarianship, 15(2), 53–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/19322909.2021.1913465
Cox, J. (2021). The higher education environment driving academic library strategy: A political, economic, social and technological (PEST) analysis. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(1), 102219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2020.102219
Dubinsky, E. (2019). Does open access make cents? Return on investment in the institutional repository. College & Research Libraries News, 80(5), 281. https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.80.5.281
Gaitanou, P., Andreou, I., Sicilia, M. A., & Garoufallou, E. (2024). Linked data for libraries: Creating a global knowledge space, a systematic literature review. Journal of Information Science, 50(1), 204-244. https://doi.org/10.1177/01655515221084645
Gomes, F. C., Antonio, F., Laot, P. A. M. E., & Gomes, E. E. C. (2023). The impact of social media marketing efforts on visit intention: a case study in Flodova Clinic, Dili, Timor Leste. Bali Medical Journal, 12(2), 2320-2329. https://doi.org/10.15562/bmj.v12i2.4570
Gupta, V. (2025). From hype to strategy: Navigating the reality of experimental strategic adoption of AI technologies in libraries. Reference Services Review, 53(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-08-2024-0042
Imran, F., Shahzad, K., Butt, A., & Kantola, J. (2021). Digital Transformation of Industrial Organizations: Toward an Integrated Framework. Journal of Change Management, 21(4), 451–479. https://doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2021.1929406
Jones, M. J., & Harvey, M. (2019). Library 2.0: The effectiveness of social media as a marketing tool for libraries in educational institutions. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 51(1), 3-19. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000616668959
Kaliraj, P., Singaravelu, G., & Devi, T. (Eds.). (2024). Transformative digital technology for disruptive teaching and learning. CRC Press.
Kawamoto, M., & Koizumi, M. (2023). Library as place: Conceptual model for public libraries and their transition. Journal of Documentation, 79(2), 376-397. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-02-2022-0046
Kim, W., An, H. S., Hantula, D. A., & Di Benedetto, A. (2025). Young consumers’ online experiential consumption behavior of foreign contemporary music: generational and gender differences in the refined stimulus-organism-response theory. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 37(3), 750–781. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-01-2024-0125
Kumar, A., & T. A., Y. (2025). Proposing a Conceptual Framework for Social Listening in Libraries: A Potential Game Changer to Engage Gen Z and Centennial Users. Open Information Science, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/opis-2024-0012
Li, F., Larimo, J., & Leonidou, L. C. (2021). Social media marketing strategy: definition, conceptualization, taxonomy, validation, and future agenda. Journal of the Academy of Marketing science, 49(1), 51-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-020-00733-3
Li, X., Gao, Z., & Liao, H. (2024). An empirical investigation of college students’ acceptance of translation technologies. Plos one, 19(2), e0297297. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0297297
Lu, V. N., Wirtz, J., Kunz, W. H., Paluch, S., Gruber, T., Martins, A., & Patterson, P. G. (2020). Service robots, customers and service employees: what can we learn from the academic literature and where are the gaps?. Journal of Service Theory and Practice, 30(3), 361-391. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTP-04-2019-0088
Lu, Y., & Lin, S. (2025). How Can We Promote Digital Transformation in College Libraries? A Study on Readers’ Intention to Adopt Digital Services. Sustainability, 17(8), 3504. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083504
Maier, C., Thatcher, J. B., Grover, V., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2023). Cross-sectional research: A critical perspective, use cases, and recommendations for IS research. International Journal of Information Management, 70, 102625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102625
Malatji, W. R., Eck, R. V., & Zuva, T. (2020). Understanding the usage, modifications, limitations and criticisms of technology acceptance model (TAM). Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems Journal, 5(6), 113-117. https://doi.org/10.25046/aj050612
Mamabolo, M. J., & Durodolu, O. O. (2023). Rural accessibility to digital libraries: requirements and challenges. Digital Library Perspectives, 39(4), 551-570. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-04-2023-0025
Matenda, S., Naidoo, G. M., & Rugbeer, H. (2020). The role of social media in youth civic engagement practices in the eastern cape. Journal of African Films and Diaspora Studies, 3(2), 25. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-aa_jafdis_v3_i2_a3
McHaney, R. (2023). The new digital shoreline: How Web 2.0 and millennials are revolutionizing higher education. Taylor & Francis.
Meng, Y., Chu, M. Y., & Chiu, D. K. W. (2023). The impact of COVID-19 on museums in the digital era: Practices and challenges in Hong Kong. Library Hi Tech, 41(1), 130–151. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-05-2022-0273
Mitha, S. B., & Omarsaib, M. (2025). Emerging technologies and higher education libraries: a bibliometric analysis of the global literature. Library Hi Tech, 43(2-3), 1248-1270. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-02-2024-0105
Nakaziba, S., & Ngulube, P. (2024). A model for enhancing digital transformation through technology-related continuing professional development activities in academic libraries in context. Discover Education, 3(1), 87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-024-00178-8
Riady, Y., Sofwan, M., Mailizar, M., Alqahtani, T. M., Yaqin, L. N., & Habibi, A. (2023). How can we assess the success of information technologies in digital libraries? Empirical evidence from Indonesia. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 3(2), 100192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2023.100192
Rocha, C., Quandt, C., Deschamps, F., Philbin, S., & Cruzara, G. (2021). Collaborations for digital transformation: Case studies of industry 4.0 in Brazil. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 70(7), 2404-2418. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2021.3061396
Rodrigues, P., Sousa, A., & Pinto Borges, A. (2024). Generation Z’s attitudes toward virtual tourism: the impact of implicit and explicit attitudes. EuroMed Journal of Business, 19(1), 21–45. https://doi.org/10.1108/EMJB-05-2023-0135
Shorey, S., Chan, V., Rajendran, P., & Ang, E. (2021). Learning styles, preferences and needs of generation Z healthcare students: Scoping review. Nurse education in practice, 57, 103247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103247
Sujood, Siddiqui, S., Nafees, S., & Bano, N. (2023). User’s intention towards the use of digital libraries: a post COVID-19 scenario. Digital Library Perspectives, 39(4), 470-495. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-12-2022-0105
Timotheou, S., Miliou, O., Dimitriadis, Y., Sobrino, S. V., Giannoutsou, N., Cachia, R., Monés, A. M., & Ioannou, A. (2023). Impacts of digital technologies on education and factors influencing schools’ digital capacity and transformation: A literature review. Education and Information Technologies, 28(6), 6695–6726. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11431-8
Trevisan, A. H., Lobo, A., Guzzo, D., de Vasconcelos Gomes, L. A., & Mascarenhas, J. (2023). Barriers to employing digital technologies for a circular economy: A multi-level perspective. Journal of Environmental Management, 332, 117437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117437
Uwalaka, T., Amadi, F., & Enyindah, S. C. (2025). Social media influencers and political influence operations: The Data Boys example in Nigeria. Public Relations Inquiry, 14(1), 89–115. https://doi.org/10.1177/2046147X241301524
Yang, X. S., Sherratt, S., Dey, N., & Joshi, A. (2024). Proceedings of Ninth International Congress on Information and Communication Technology: ICICT 2024, London, Volume 1 (p. 352). Springer Nature.
Ylipulli, J., Pouke, M., Ehrenberg, N., & Keinonen, T. (2023). Public libraries as a partner in digital innovation project: Designing a virtual reality experience to support digital literacy. Future Generation Computer Systems, 149, 594–605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.future.2023.08.00
Yu, H. (2023). Reflection on whether Chat GPT should be banned by academia from the perspective of education and teaching. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1181712. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1181712
Zare, S. K, Varnaseri, A., & Bayati, N. (2024). Identifying the applications of gamification for audience attraction in public libraries. Libri, 74(2), 171-184. https://doi.org/10.1515/libri-2023-0123
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmad Qusairi, Zainal Abidin; Fadhel Mubarak
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
.jpg)
