Patterns and Determinants of Library Usage Behaviour among Undergraduate Students in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India
O. Yobu Micka *
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
M. Shanthasheela
Agricultural Extension, Directorate of Agribusiness Development, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
E. Karnika
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background & Aims: Understanding why undergraduate students use university libraries can inform the design of physical and digital services. This study examined the associations between performance expectancy, effort expectancy, library anxiety, the physical library environment, technological infrastructure and library usage behaviour among undergraduates at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.
Methods: An ex-post facto research design was adopted. From eligible undergraduate library users across four academic years, 250 students were selected following purposive identification of the study population. Responses were collected through a structured 25-item questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale. The six reflective constructs were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4.0. Reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, collinearity and model fit were assessed, and hypotheses were tested using 5,000 bootstrap subsamples.
Results: The model explained 77.0% of the variance in library usage behaviour (R² = 0.770). Performance expectancy (β = 0.371), the physical library environment (β = 0.252), technological infrastructure (β = 0.240) and effort expectancy (β = 0.200) were positively associated with usage behaviour, whereas library anxiety was negatively associated with usage behaviour (β = −0.209). All five associations were statistically significant (P < .001).
Conclusion: Students are more likely to use the library when they perceive a clear academic benefit and when technological support is dependable. Orientation and information literacy programmes, sustained investment in digital infrastructure, and user-friendly library services are recommended to promote continued library use.
Keywords: Library usage behaviour, UTAUT, library anxiety, technological infrastructure, PLS-SEM, undergraduate students