A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Digital Library Acceptance, and Dependency during Covid-19

Abstract

Despite the immense educational challenges during the Covid-19 outbreak, the role of ICT in education proved highly beneficial. The use of web-based Learning and Digital Library dependency remarkably increased, resulting in sustaining academic activities. The current research examined Digital Library usage and its impacts on students' educational activities and reading habits due to the recent healthcare crisis and closure of standard libraries in Pakistan. The researchers adopted a cross-sectional study design and distributed n= 230 closed-ended questionnaires among the public sector universities' students in the Twin Cities. The data is manipulated, coded, and analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling using IBM AMOS Version 23. Results revealed a robust and significant relationship between Digital Library Acceptance, Dependency, Sustaining Educational Activities, and Improved Reading Habits during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the results explicitly rejected the intervening role of Prior Experience on Digital Library Dependency and Improved Reading Habits. Findings also highlighted the role of Digital Libraries as a fundamental part of the crisis management system. Thus, this investigation recommends more investigations to discuss the other positive aspects of Digital Libraries, especially during emergencies, to cope with the potential educational challenges and barriers.

Thriving in the post-Covid-19 era: a new normality for libraries' service offering

“…, 2021) and web-based platforms to host user–provider exchanges (Henson and Spitler, 2022). This transition is fully consistent with the special issues generated by the pandemic, enabling people to remotely access libraries (Nageswari and Thanuskodi, 2021) in order to satisfy their information needs (Ali et al. , 2021).…”

“…Digitization, flexibility and adaptability have been widely depicted as the cornerstones on which libraries' viability relies (Wakeling et al, 2022;Yu et al, 2022). However, literature is not consistent in arguing which innovations are most effective to match the evolving needs and expectations of the audience (Ali et al, 2021;Antunes et al, 2021), augmenting the libraries' organizational attractiveness (Palumbo, 2022).…”

“…, 2022). However, literature is not consistent in arguing which innovations are most effective to match the evolving needs and expectations of the audience (Ali et al. , 2021; Antunes et al.…”

“…The new normality ushered by the pandemic entailed a redesign of libraries' spaces and contexts: it fostered their transition towards a cyber-physical environment (Vassilakaki and Moniarou-Papaconstantinou, 2021), stimulating the introduction of technology-driven innovations (Kim et al, 2021) and web-based platforms to host user-provider exchanges (Henson and Spitler, 2022). This transition is fully consistent with the special issues generated by the pandemic, enabling people to remotely access libraries (Nageswari and Thanuskodi, 2021) in order to satisfy their information needs (Ali et al, 2021). However, scholars and practitioners do not agree about what is needed to advance the libraries' ability to thrive in the new normality enacted by Covid-19 (Szekely, 2021) and enhance their relationships with the community (Othman et al, 2021), thus paving the way for increased loyalty and engagement of the audience (Chan et al, 2022).…”

Reputation management through social networking platforms for PR purposes: A SEM-based study in the Jordan

“…The relevant theory is further evaluated and enhanced by Icek and their colleagues further witnessing how attitudes further help to shape and reshape the human behavior accordingly (Bergstrom and Poor, 2022). Theory of reasoned action is widely used in the communication studies, as it helps to examine the primary factors behind a certain attitude that results in a certain behavior among the individuals (Ali et al, 2021). Thus, under the assumption made by theory of reasoned action, this research also proposes the impact of Public Relations practices as ensuring the behavioral change among the individuals.…”