User perceptions, academic library usage and social capital: a correlation analysis under COVID-19 after library renovation

Abstract

PurposeWhile the library has remained a preferred place of learning and received a positive perception in all aspects, the current space planning, as categorized in the “four-space model,” does not seem to address user needs well. The purpose of this article is to explore the correlations of user perceptions, academic library usage and social capital.Design/methodology/approachThis research presented a new approach to understanding the academic library's role by surveying 120 users about their preferred place on the campus, actual usage, and perceptions of the library physically and remotely. Correlation analysis between library use and user activities was performed.FindingsThe findings indicate that the library demonstrates attributes from all four levels in the learning space hierarchy, providing an ideal learning space for students. However, our results do not support academic libraries as the breeding ground of social capital.Originality/valueAs the data of this study were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic period, the findings may provide us with insights on how library users have adjusted themselves in using these public facilities with social distancing in their minds. The findings also provide implications for re-designing the library places to meet the users' needs and make it favorable learning commons to students in both the pandemic and post-pandemic eras.

Editorial: 40th anniversary: contemporary library research

“…Libraries are transforming from a space to store books into integrated cultural, meeting and learning spaces that tend to operate 24/7 (Yip et al , 2019; Chan et al , 2020a; Kim et al , 2020; Leung et al , 2022; Ho et al , 2022a,b; Jiang et al , 2022; Wong and Chiu, 2023). Noh (2022) investigated the library as a complex cultural space and showed that library users participated and enjoyed its services and programs.…”

Guest editorial: COVID-19 Pandemic and Health Informatics Part 2

“…In addition, due to the lockdown, most academic libraries were either closed or provided limited services. In this connection, Leung et al (2022) explored the correlations of user perceptions, academic library usage and social capital during this period. They noted that library users adjusted themselves to use these facilities with social distancing in their minds.…”

Editorial: Special selection on contemporary digital culture and reading

“…Due to the recent lockdowns of COVID-19, many cultural venues such as museums and libraries have offered many new digital services and strengthened existing ones. Readers may also be interested in further recent developments in our articles (Leung et al , 2022a, b; Guo et al , 2021; Fasae et al , 2021; Meng et al , 2021, 2022; Yu et al , 2022b; Nadi-Ravandi and Batooli, 2022).…”

“…They noted that the decoupling of text they read and comments would lead users to mainly share text excerpts rather than original personal reactions to the story. Readers may note that social media has been important learning aid, especially for the younger generation, though it cannot replace formal learning (Li et al , 2021; Cheng et al , 2022; Leung et al , 2022a, b; Wang and Xie, 2022; Mak et al , 2022).…”