Borrowing books from a convenience store? An innovative library service

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an innovative service model regarding the public library’s pilot project in Taiwan – Borrowing Books from Convenience Stores (BBCS). The proposed model presents a comprehensive evaluation of patrons to enhance readers’ intention to adopt this innovative library service.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the users of the public library and convenience stores in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The main findings of this study make both theoretical and practical contributions. First, this study explores the library’s extending service to convenience stores, and proposes an integrated BBCS model for the library’s innovative service. Second, the identification of influential factors, such as control influence, social interaction and perceived values of convenience, contributes to a marketing strategy for this innovative service offered by the library. Third, gender differences in some relationships of influential factors on BBCS use intention were identified.

Originality/value

Although many studies have investigated the adoption of self-service technology, this paper is the very first attempt to explore the use of the innovative library service in convenience stores. Based on several theories, an integrated model for users’ intention to use BBCS is proposed in this study. The authors also recommend various gender-specific strategies of BBCS service.

Citation

Hsiao, C.-H., Chang, J.J., Wu, P.-C. and Tang, K.-Y. (2020), "Borrowing books from a convenience store? An innovative library service", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 38 No. 3, pp. 537-553. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-05-2019-0110