Information search behavior and utilization of digital library of innovative consumers

Abstract

This study was undertaken to examine digital library usage and to identify innovative users of digital libraries using data collected in four universities in Taiwan. The Domain Specific Innovativeness (DSI) scales were used in the study to segment respondents into various cluster of innovativeness in digital library usage. On average, college students spent 3.5 hours on digital libraries per week. The findings in this study indicated that 8.31% of digital library users could be classified as innovative users. They were frequent users and were familiar with services provided by digital libraries. Innovative users searched and downloaded more materials from digital libraries than respondents in other clusters. In general, journal/magazine articles were the most frequently used services for digital library users, while e-books were used much less often.