Library self-service: Predicting user intentions related to self-issue and return systems

Purpose - This paper aims to compare the effectiveness of the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the integrated TPB/TAM model to understand acceptance of library self-issue and return systems. Design/methodology/approach - The study data come from a non-random convenience sample of 266 undergraduate students, age 18-25. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using AMOS 17.0 to identify causal relationships. Findings - Findings show that the TPB/TAM integrated model is superior to the TPB and the TAM alone in terms of the ability to explain user acceptance of self-issue and return systems. Although subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and perceived usefulness have direct positive relationships to behavioral intention to use self-issue and return systems, attitude plays the most important role in explaining the intention to use self-issue and return systems. Research limitations/implications - The study assesses self-reported behavioral intention as part of the survey and, as a result, could have introduced inaccuracies. Practical implications - Librarians should reinforce the efficiency of self-issue and return systems to influence customers' willingness to use such systems. Originality/value - Little has been written on the intention to use self-issue and return systems. The three models are novel and usable in predicting the intention of self-issue and return systems, and the findings may also be generally applicable to librarians, users, and information systems professionals.