The Factor Influencing Satisfaction and Loyalty in Public Library: A Case Study of Fuzhou Library
Main Article Content
Abstract
This research aimed 1) to analyze library user interaction patterns in public libraries to assess their impact on user satisfaction, 2) to examine how these interactions influence user loyalty, and 3) to explore strategies that effectively enhance both satisfaction and loyalty through participatory activities, feedback mechanisms, and digital interactions. The study employed a quantitative research approach, collecting data from a sample of 398 public library users in Fuzhou Municipal Library, Fujian Province, China, selected through random sampling. The questionnaire used in the research had been tested for validity and reliability. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis.
The findings revealed the following 1) in analyzing library user interaction patterns and their impact on user satisfaction, all investigated factors participatory activities, seminars and workshops, social media usage, feedback channels, personalized services, and digital interactions demonstrated significant positive correlations with user satisfaction. Digital interactions exhibited the strongest positive impact (β=0.201), followed by personalized services (β=0.129) and feedback channels (β=0.132), 2) regarding the examination of how these interactions influence user loyalty, all studied factors similarly showed significant positive correlations with user loyalty. Personalized services exerted the strongest positive impact (β=0.175), followed by feedback channels (β=0.166) and participatory activities (β=0.143), and 3) Concerning the exploration of strategies to effectively enhance both satisfaction and loyalty, multiple regression analysis confirmed that all aforementioned factors significantly influenced both user satisfaction and loyalty. The models elucidated 38.7% (Adj R2 = 0.387) of the variance in user satisfaction and 40.7% (Adj R2 = 0.407) of the variance in user loyalty, thereby indicating that prioritizing digital interactions, personalized services, feedback mechanisms, and participatory activities constitutes key strategic approaches for improving user experience and fostering stronger patron relationships.
The results underscore the importance of various factors in shaping user satisfaction and loyalty in public libraries. Libraries should prioritize digital interactions, personalized services, feedback mechanisms, and community engagement activities to enhance user experiences and foster stronger relationships. Understanding these factors will enable libraries to develop strategies to improve their services and create more engaging and fulfilling experiences for their users.
Article Details
References
ACRL Insider. (2024, June 19). Assessment and advocacy: Using Project Outcome for academic libraries. arXiv. (2024, November 4). Empowering library users: Creative strategies for engagement and innovation.
Bell, S. J. (2014). Staying true to the core: Designing the future academic library experience. portal: Libraries and the Academy, 14(3), 369-382.
Blessinger, K. D., & Comeaux, D. (2020). User experience with a new public interface for an integrated library system. LITA: ital, 39(1), 1-18.
BPAS Journals. (n.d.). The transformative impact of libraries on community development and lifelong learning.
Casey, M. E., & Savastinuk, L. C. (2007). Library 2.0: A guide to collaborative and social tools for librarians and information professionals.
ALA Editions. Chen, C. (2012). How do libraries use social networking sites to interact with users? Library & Information Science Research, 34(1), 1-10.
Connaway, L. S., & Radford, M. L. (2017). Seeking stability in a shifting landscape: User behavior in the digital age.
Libraries Unlimited. Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. (2025, February 7). Embracing the third space: Elevating student engagement and information literacy in academic libraries.
DiVA portal. (2023, January 11). User experience in libraries.
Emerald Insight. (2021, November 10). The analytic study of librarian-user and importance-satisfaction on the use factor of complex cultural space in library.
Goffman, E. (2019). The presentation of self in everyday life. Penguin Books. Goulding, A. (2013). The Big Society and English public libraries: where are we now?. New Library World, 114(11/12), 478-493.
Index Copernicus. (n.d.). The influence of service quality of public libraries on the library user's engagement.
Jensen, J. L., Kummer, T. A., & Godoy, P. D. D. M. (2015). Improvements from a flipped classroom may simply be the fruits of active learning. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 14(1), 1-12.
Johnson, A., Kuglitsch, R., & Bresnahan, M. (2015). Using participatory and service design to identify emerging needs and perceptions of library services among science and engineering researchers based at a satellite campus. Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, (81).
knowledge librarian. (n.d.). User satisfaction for library space in academic institutions. Langer, E. J. (2018). Mindfulness.
Da Capo Press. Langer, E. J. (2018). Rethinking the role of thought in social interaction. In New directions in attribution research (pp. 35-58).
Psychology Press. MDPI. (2025, January 16). The effect of digital touchpoint usage experience on customer loyalty mediated by digital engagement and customer satisfaction.
MDPI. (2025, April 12). Factors of customer loyalty and retention in the digital environment.
McKinsey. (2020, April 28). Personalizing the customer experience: Driving differentiation in retail.
Molinillo, S., Aguilar-Illescas, R., Anaya-Sanchez, R., & Carvajal-Trujillo, E. (2022). The customer retail app experience: Implications for customer loyalty. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 65, 102842.
Medallia. (2025, January 26). The impact of digital transformation on customer experience.
Nguyen, L. C., Partridge, H., & Edwards, S. L. (2012). Towards an understanding of the participatory library. Library Hi Tech, 30(2), 335-346.
Noh, J., & Chang, Y. (2020). A study on the impact of satisfaction with public libraries on using and recommending intention. Korea Science.
Prentice, C., Lopes, S. D., & Wang, X. (2020). The impact of artificial intelligence and employee service quality on customer satisfaction and loyalty. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 29(7), 739-756.
Reid, H., & Howard, V. (2016). Connecting with community: The importance of community engagement in rural public library systems. Public Library Quarterly, 35(3), 188-202.
Ren, P., Xiao, Y., Chang, X., Huang, P. Y., Li, Z., Gupta, B. B., & Wang, X. (2021). A survey of deep active learning. ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR), 54(9), 1-40.
ResearchGate. (n.d.-a). The impact of users' experience and satisfaction on users' intention to use digital library resources.
ResearchGate. (n.d.-b). Beyond providing information: An analysis on the perceived service quality, satisfaction, and loyalty of public library customers.
ResearchGate. (n.d.-c). The third place: The library as collaborative and community space in a time of fiscal restraint.
Santini, Z. I., Koyanagi, A., Tyrovolas, S., Mason, C., & Haro, J. M. (2015). The association between social relationships and depression: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 175, 53-65.
Sadeh, T. (2008). User experience in the library: a case study. New Library World, 109(1/2), 7-24.
Shulga, L. V., Busser, J. A., Bai, B., & Kim, H. (2021). The reciprocal role of trust in customer value co-creation. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 45(4), 672-696.
Sung, H. Y., & Hepworth, M. (2013). Modelling community engagement in public libraries. Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science, 18(1), 1-13.
Taylor & Francis Online. (2023, June 15). Fostering community: The library as a third space and the effect of social capital on the flow of information among law students.
Taylor & Francis Online. (2024, November 20). Creative spaces in public libraries: Navigating the culture clash with institutional norms and expectations.
Twum, K. K. (2022). The role of public libraries in promoting community development: A case study of selected public libraries in Ghana. Library Philosophy and Practice, 22(1), 54-72.
Yu, H., & Li, R. (2019). User satisfaction and loyalty in public libraries: A systematic review. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 51(3), 693-708.
Wongkumchai, T., & Kiattisin, S. (2021). Information analysis and evaluation model (IAEM) of Thai economy sustainability based on SEP and SDGs. Heliyon, 7(6), e07305.
Xu, F., & Du, J. T. (2018). Factors influencing users’ satisfaction and loyalty to digital libraries in Chinese universities. Library & Information Science Research, 40(1), 64-72.