To read this content please select one of the options below:

Case studies and comparison between two models for assessing library service quality

Qingkui Xi (Department of Library, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, China)
Heng Zhao (Department of Scientific Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, China)
Yitao Hu (Department of Library, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, China)
Yunjuan Tong (Department of Library, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, China)
Ping Bao (Department of Library, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, China)

The Electronic Library

ISSN: 0264-0473

Article publication date: 18 September 2018

Issue publication date: 12 November 2018

871

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to describe case studies of two models, LibQUAL+ and a model based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), used to assess library service quality and compare the two assessment models.

Design/methodology/approach

First, an AHP-based evaluation model is set up to assess library service quality, following which the model is adapted to assess the service quality of Nanjing Agricultural University Library. Second, a modified LibQUAL+ model is created and implemented in the form of a questionnaire survey to assess the library service quality of the same library. Finally, the two assessment models are compared.

Findings

The results of the two case studies indicate that LibQUAL+ is suitable for assessing Chinese university libraries after modified, and the library AHP model is more suitable for comparing libraries in China between themselves.

Originality/value

This paper uses two methods for assessing library service quality; this should prove to be helpful for the librarians interested in assessing the service quality of Chinese university libraries.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and editors for their valuable suggestions, and the experts and participants for their assistance.

Funding: This work is supported by: Social science funds of Jiangsu Province in China, 17SYC-117,18SWC-30; and Fundamental Research Funds for the Chinese Central Universities, SKGL2017014, SKYC2017019, and finally, Funds of Library Society of Jiangsu province in China, 17YB07.

Citation

Xi, Q., Zhao, H., Hu, Y., Tong, Y. and Bao, P. (2018), "Case studies and comparison between two models for assessing library service quality", The Electronic Library, Vol. 36 No. 6, pp. 1099-1113. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-11-2016-0246

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles