Students' Experiences In Accessing Bookless Library Services:
A Phenomenological Study At Universitas Negeri Makassar
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33701/ijolib.v7i1.6096Keywords:
bookless library, digital library, phenomenology, student experience, information literacyAbstract
Background: Digital transformation in higher education has encouraged the development of bookless library services as a flexible means of accessing academic information. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on service quality, technology acceptance, and user satisfaction, while students’ lived experiences as primary users of digital library services remain underexplored. Purpose: This study aims to understand students’ experiences in accessing bookless library services at Universitas Negeri Makassar. Method: This study employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive phenomenological design. Eight students from different faculties and academic levels were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, limited participatory observation, and document review. Data analysis involved phenomenological reduction, identification of meaning units, theme development, and interpretation of participants’ experiences. Result: The findings revealed four major themes: (1) digital access as an extension of learning space and time, providing greater flexibility in obtaining academic resources; (2) the need for orientation in navigating interfaces and information retrieval pathways, as students still encounter difficulties in understanding available features; (3) the institutional repository as the most meaningful academic resource for thesis preparation and reference searching; and (4) technical barriers and digital literacy disparities that influence the effectiveness of service utilization. Conclusion: The mobile library service plays a significant role in meeting the information needs of female inmates, but improvements are needed through collection diversification, increased procurement frequency, and the implementation of information literacy programs to make the service more relevant to their needs. Bookless library services have become an important part of students’ academic experiences by supporting flexible access to information and learning resources. Nevertheless, interface simplification, infrastructure improvement, and continuous information literacy programs are needed to optimize service utilization and enhance user experience.
Downloads
References
Afifah, H., Ibrahim, T., & Arifudin, O (2024). Implementasi Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) pada penerimaan aplikasi sistem manajemen pendidikan di lingkungan madrasah. Jurnal Tahsinia, 5(9), 1353–1369. https://ojs.iai-rakeyansantang.ac.id/index.php/tahsinia/article/view/665
Al Fath, T. R., & Al Amin, I. H. (2022). Implementasi arsitektur microservices menggunakan RESTful API untuk website online course. Jurnal Teknik Informatika Unika St. Thomas, 7(1), 2657-1501. https://ejournal.ust.ac.id/index.php/JTIUST/article/view/1995
Chauhan, J. (2026). Evaluating the Academic and Research Effectiveness of University Library Systems among Postgraduate Students in Indian Higher Education Institutions. International Journal of Research & Technology, 14(2), 862-875. https://doi.org/10.64882/ijrt.v14.i2.1360
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications. https://collegepublishing.sagepub.com/products/thematic-analysis-1-248481
Bouleimen, A., Luceri, L., Cardoso, F., Botturi, L., Hermida, M., Addimando, L., Beretta, C., Galloni, M., & Giordano, S. (2023). Online search is more likely to lead students to validate true news than to refute false ones. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2303.13138
Cahyono, T. Y., & Masruroh, U. (2025). The role of academic libraries in improving digital literacy postgraduate students of State University of Malang. JPUA: Jurnal Perpustakaan Universitas Airlangga: Media Informasi dan Komunikasi Kepustakawanan, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.20473/jpua.v15i1.2025.29-38
Case, D. O., & Given, L. M. (2016). Looking for information: A survey of research on information seeking, needs, and behavior. Emerald Group Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435121311310941
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://collegepublishing.sagepub.com/products/qualitative-inquiry-and-research-design-4-246896
Ergün, C. (2025). University Libraries are Supporters of Digital Literacy in Universities: An Analysis Study Through University Rankings. In Institutes of Higher Education (IHE) and Workforce Collaboration for Digital Literacy (pp. 213-246). https://www.igi-global.com/gateway/chapter/376026
Jilani, M. A., Sheikh, A., Shah, F. A., & Saqlain, S. M. (2026). Usability evaluation of academic library websites: a systematic literature review. Information Discovery and Delivery, 54(1), 50-70. https://doi.org/10.1108/idd-09-2024-0144
Hassoun, A., Beacock, I., Consolvo, S., Goldberg, B., Kelley, P. G., & Russell, D. M. (2023, April). Practicing information sensibility: How Gen Z engages with online information. In Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-17). https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2301.07184
Hennink, M., Hutter, I., & Bailey, A. (2020). Qualitative research methods (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Himayah, H. (2023). Persepsi Masyarakat terhadap Perpustakaan Digital di Era Digitalisasi Sistem. Pilar, 14(2), 138-145. https://doi.org/10.26618/Fbk9kn96
Hidayatullah, F., Zainuddin, Z. I., & Putra, K. A. D. (2022). Napping areas and nap pods in academic library. Record and Library Journal, 8(2), 228–238. https://doi.org/10.20473/rlj.V8-I2.2022.228-238
Jamil, N S., Aziza, A N., Aisy A N R.,Ifthara E C., Saguna I N R, Gunarti E . (2026). Analisa Preferensi Masyarakat Terhadap Buku Digital Dan Buku Fisik Di Indonesia. EDUTECH, 25(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.17509/e.v25i1.9462
Korstjens, I., & Moser, A. (2018). Series: Practical guidance to qualitative research. Part 4: Trustworthiness and publishing. European Journal of General Practice, 24(1), 120–124. https://doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2017.1375092
Latifah, A., & Nugraha, J. (2023). The influence of relevance and computer self-efficacy on students’ behavioral intention in using the digital library. Jurnal Inovasi dan Teknologi Pembelajaran, 10(1), 92-105. https://doi.org/10.17977/um031v10i12023p092
Maulidia, B. N., & Mutia, F. (2025). Challenges and opportunities in library digital transformation: A systematic review. Bibliotika: Jurnal Kajian Perpustakaan dan Informasi, 9(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.17977/um008v9i12025p93-104
Maufur, S. (2024). Tantangan dan peluang perpustakaan UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati dalam era digitalisasi. Pusat Perpustakaan UINSSC. https://perpustakaan.uinssc.ac.id/tantangan-dan-peluang-perpustakaan-uin-siber-syekh-nurjati-dalam-era-digitalisasi/
Msauki, G. (2021). Library 4.0 and sustainable development: Opportunities and challenges. In Examining the impact of industry 4.0 on academic libraries (pp. 31–44). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80043-656-520201012
Nasaruddin, H., Hatimah, K., Niswaty, R., Herman, H., & Arhas, S. H. (2024). Analysis of Elfan Bookless Library System Innovation at the Barru Regency Library and Archives Office. Khizanah Al-Hikmah: Jurnal Ilmu Perpustakaan, Informasi, Dan Kearsipan, 12(1), 89-99. https://doi.org/10.24252/kah.v12i1a8
Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. (2017). Thematic analysis: Striving to meet trustworthiness criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917733847
Oktavia, A. (2024). Transformasi manajemen perpustakaan di era digital: Tantangan dan peluang. Al-Ma'arif: Jurnal Ilmu Perpustakaan dan Informasi Islam, 4(2), 147–166. https://doi.org/10.37108/almaarif.v4i2.1740
Onunka, O., Onunka, T., Fawole, A. A., Adeleke, I. J., & Daraojimba, C. (2023). Library and information services in the digital age: Opportunities and challenges. Acta Informatica Malaysia, 7(1), 113-121. http://doi.org/10.26480/aim.02.2023.113.121
Perpustakaan Nasional Republik Indonesia. (2024). Peraturan Perpustakaan Nasional Republik Indonesia Nomor 5 Tahun 2024 tentang Standar Nasional Perpustakaan Perguruan Tinggi. Perpusnas RI.
Ramos Aguiar, L. R., & Álvarez Rodríguez, F. J. (2024). Digital content for libraries considering extended reality, physical interaction disabilities, Universal design for learning and user-centered design: a systematic review. Investigación bibliotecológica, 38(99), 109-127. https://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/ib/v38n99/2448-8321-ib-38-99-109.pdf
Saldaña, J. (2021). The coding manual for qualitative researchers (4th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://sk.sagepub.com/book/mono/the-coding-manual-for-qualitative-researchers-5e/chpt/2-fundamental-coding-methods-techniques# _
Safarudin, R., Zulfamanna, Z., Kustati, M., & Sepriyanti, N. (2025). Kepuasan mahasiswa FIP UPI terhadap perpustakaan digital dan pengaruhnya terhadap minat baca. Menulis: Jurnal Penelitian Nusantara, 1(6), 93–100. https://padangjurnal.web.id/index.php/menulis/article/view/329
Suharso, P., Arifiyana, I. P., & Wasdiana, M. D. (2020). Layanan perpustakaan perguruan tinggi dalam menghadapi pandemi Covid-19. Anuva: Jurnal Kajian Budaya, Perpustakaan, dan Informasi, 4(2), 271–286. https://doi.org/10.14710/anuva.4.2.271-286
Susanto, S., Ritonga, A. W., Desrani, A., & Rubiyantoro, Y. (2025). Readiness for Smart Learning in Indonesia’s Islamic Universities. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(2), 1976-1988. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i2.6162
Syahida, A. N., Wulandari, R., & Haristianti, V. (2021). Elemen smart library pada interior perpustakaan perguruan tinggi. Waca Cipta Ruang, 7(1) 27-37. https://doi.org/10.34010/wcr.v7i1.3999
Tracy, S. J. (2020). Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating impact. Wiley-Blackwell. wiley.com/en-be/Qualitative+Research+Methods%3A+Collecting+Evidence%2C+Crafting+Analysis%2C+Communicating+Impact%2C+2nd+Edition-p-9781119390800
Utami, K. H., Meyjie, E. O. V., Lestari, R. D. A., Septiyanti, N. D., & Basatha, R. (2025). Perancangan UI/UX aplikasi perpustakaan digital Pustakara dengan metode Human-Centered Design. Jurnal Transformasi Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, 3(2). 651-662. https://jurnal.kopusindo.com/index.php/jtpp/article/view/1342/1169
van Manen, M. (2016). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action-sensitive pedagogy (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Researching-Lived-Experience-Human-Science-for-an-Action-Sensitive-Pedagogy/vanManen/p/book/9781629584164
Wilson, T. D. (2020). A re-examination of information seeking behavior in the digital environment. Information Research, 25(4). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26459076_A_re-examination_of_information_seeking_behavior_in_the_context_of_Activity_Theory
Zakir, S., Hoque, M. E., Susanto, P., Nisaa, V., Alam, M. K., Khatimah, H., & Mulyani, E. (2025, June). Digital literacy and academic performance: the mediating roles of digital informal learning, self-efficacy, and students’ digital competence. In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 10, p. 1590274). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1590274
Zakira, A. I., Ajiziah, Z., Purba, E. N. T. B., Hulu, M. J., & Saragih, E. (2025). Kualitas Pengalaman Mahasiswa Dalam Mewujudkan Citra Pengetahuan Website Perpustakaan Universitas Sumatera Utara Pustakaloka, 17(2), 165–187. https://doi.org/10.21154/pustakaloka.v17i2.12334
Yan, C., Zhang, H., & Wang, H. (2026). Knowledge mapping of library digital transformation: A bibliometric study using visual analysis. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 58(2), 1211-1230. https://doi.org/10.1177/09610006251353222
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Fauzan Hidayatullah, Aryana Dwi Putra Kadek
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Share Alike 4.0 International License