An empirical study of factors influencing user perception of university digital libraries in China

•User perceptions of university digital libraries (DLs) are related to various service types.•Structural equation modeling shows interaction among the various service types.•Information providing services, information retrieval services, and individual services influence perception.

Studies of the resources and services provided through university digital libraries have focused on evaluation criteria which consider usability, content, technology, and context. The factors influencing user perception of university digital libraries have not been explored and discussed from the perspective of specific library service types. Structural equation modeling was used to explore influencing factors and the relationships among them, based on 353 responses to survey questionnaires regarding academic DLs in China. Findings show that information providing services, information retrieval services, and individual services are direct influencing factors, while information organizing services affect user perception indirectly through information retrieval services and individual services. Various services also demonstrate interactions.