Factors affecting librarians’ intentions to engage in virtual storytimes
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated multiple factors associated with librarians’ intentions to engage in virtual storytimes in public libraries. Based on the theory of planned behavior, the study examined the aspects of attitudes, social norms, behavioral controls and organizational support about librarians’ intentions to engage in virtual storytime practices.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted to investigate the perceptions of public librarians who work in children’s services across the USA. The study collected 365 valid responses to assess the impact of the selected factors on librarians’ intentions. Structural equation modeling was employed for statistical analysis.
Findings
The results revealed that attitudes, subjective norms and behavioral controls were significant factors associated with librarians’ intention to engage in virtual storytimes. Among these, attitudinal factors were the most influential; however, organizational support was not a significant factor.
Originality/value
Minimal research has been conducted to explore factors associated with online storytime practices, which served as a primary delivery mode during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is among the first attempts to investigate various factors related to virtual storytimes in public libraries from the perspectives of librarians.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (No. LG-250035-OLS-21).
Citation
Joo, S., Cahill, M., LeFebvre, L., Garcia, A. and Cole, A. (2024), "Factors affecting librarians’ intentions to engage in virtual storytimes", Library Hi Tech, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-03-2023-0089
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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