USER ENGAGEMENT IN ACADEMIC WEB DIGITAL LIBRARY

The aim of this study is to examine the user engagement in the context of digital libraries (DL). The assessment is based on six interrelated constructs which are endurability, perceived usefulness, focus attention, felt involvement, aesthetics and novelty. Adopting a survey research method and a paper-based questionnaire as the instrument for data collection, a total of 299 respondents participated in the study. The study used the Structural Equation Modeling approach for analyzing the research data. The results showed that, endurability is jointly determined by perceived usability, felt involvement, and focused attention. The aesthetic and novel are also found to have a significant effect on felt involvement and focused attention. The significant contribution of the study can be described in terms of empirical, theoretical and practical perspectives. From the empirical perspective, this study further adds to the body of literature on DL assessment or evaluation. From the theoretical perspective, it has further strengthened the user engagement model. From the practical perspective, the instrument can be applied for assessing the effectiveness of the DL implemented in an academic setting