Digital Transformation of Academic Libraries Analyzing the Role of Cloud-Based Services in Improving Information Accessibility and User Satisfaction

1Riju Kumari, 2*Sunil Kumar, 3Mamta

1,3Phd Research Scholar, Department of Library and Information Science

HRIT University, Ghaziabad, UP, India.

2*Chief Librarian, PIMS Medical College and Hospital Jalandhar Punjab India

Email ID:- librariansunilkumar1@gmail.com

ORCID ID: - https://ordic.org/0009-0005-3724-3481

*Corresponding Author: Sunil Kumar, Email ID- librariansunilkumar1@gmail.com

EMPIRICAL DEMONSTRATION USING A CLEARLY LABELLED SIMULATED DATASET (n = 200)

Abstract

Background: The development of cloud computing has encouraged academic libraries to employ cloud based library services in combination with other services. The aim of this paper is to assess the impact of the quality of a cloud based service, the accessibility of information, and customer satisfaction. Further, this paper identifies impediments to using a cloud based service. A cross-sectional survey was employed to generate a simulated dataset of 200 users that included undergraduate and postgraduate students, research staff, librarians, and faculty members. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlation, independent-samples t-test and one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression. The results of this study positively correlated cloud based service quality and information accessibility (r = .569, p < .001); accessibility of information and customer satisfaction (r = .576, p < .001). The regression model was statistically significant, F(5, 194) = 25.68, p < .001, and described 39.8% of the satisfaction variance. The significant predictors of the model were the accessibility of information (β = .387, p < .001), the service’s ease of use (β = .186, p = .006), and system reliability (β = .126, p = .040). The greatest impediments to the service were privacy and security of the data, if the service was functional and of a reasonable cost. This study concludes that cloud based library services of a reasonable cost and of considerable convenience, if supported by reliable systems, relevant electronic collections, responsive staff and data governance, will enhance customer satisfaction and service accessibility. Remote authentication, the usability of the system, the capability of staff, control over service providers, and user assessment are the areas that require the most improvement.

Keywords: academic libraries; cloud computing; digital transformation; information accessibility; user satisfaction; electronic resources; service quality