Perceived Risks of Social Media in the University Libraries of Pakistan: An Empirical Investigation

Abstract

Purpose

The research on social media adoption and use is on the rise in Pakistan. However, researchers did not focus on investigating the risks associated with social media use for library services. So, this study examines perceived risks of library services through social media in the university libraries of Pakistan. Also, suggest possible solution to overcome the observed risks.

Methodology

Using a structured questionnaire, a national-level survey was conducted. Respondents of the study were professional librarians designated as Head or Chief or University librarian representing their organization. The study was conducted in an organizational perspective and required a single response from each organization. The questionnaire was distributed among 181 university librarians working both in public and private sector university libraries in Pakistan. However, valid responses were 124 (69%).

Findings

The Pakistani university libraries are using social media platforms for library services. However, the research findings reveal that there are several risks to offering library services through social media. Among the responded libraries, the libraries that do not use social media platforms for service delivery feel riskier compared to the libraries that offer library services through social media. It is also found that there is no formal policy on social media usage in the libraries.

Practical implications

The research findings provide valuable insight to university administration, library social media users, and developers on how to consider the identified risks while designing state-of-the-art library services through social media. Also, the study findings may be easily generalized at national level due to the coverage of the whole population.

Originality

This is a novel study that explores the perceived social media risks associated with using social media to offer library services. Also, the study is first attempt that covers whole population through a census survey in an organizational perspective.

Keywords:

• Social media
• social media services
• social networking
• social media threats
• Library 2.0
• social media challenges
• Pakistan

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).