User acceptance of IAMSLIC digital fisheries library

Abstract

The International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers (IAMSLIC) through the Aquatic Commons Board approved the deployment of IAMSLIC Digital Fisheries Library in the Philippines during the 2015 Conference. The digital library utilized the LibraryBox, a portable, open source distribution tool. This standalone wireless access is ideal for fisheries schools in the area due to limited or no Internet access and intermittent electrical power conditions. With the aim of providing access to SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (AQD) publications in these schools, more than a thousand publications that were already made available in SEAFDEC/AQD institutional repository were also added in the box. The box contained over 26,000 publications, reports, articles and documents on all aspects of fisheries that are freely available. SEAFDEC/AQD is the first institution in the country to launch t he project in July 2016 using LibraryBox. Five boxes were distributed in Philippine fisheries libraries devastated by Typhoon Yolanda or hazed by fire. This study examined the factors that influence student’s acceptance and attitude towards the IAMSLIC Digital Fisheries Library. A survey was distributed to selected fisheries and marine biology undergraduate students in the Philippines. Relevance, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, screen design and behavioral intention to use the digital library were determined.