How Can We Promote Digital Transformation in College Libraries? A Study on Readers’ Intention to Adopt Digital Services

In the Industry 4.0 era, digital transformation is crucial for college libraries aiming to improve reader service quality. The current research proposes various digital transformation initiatives for college libraries but ignores readers’ willingness to use digital services, which is key to a successful digital transformation. To better help college libraries in their digital transformation, this study explores readers’ willingness to use digital services from a perceived benefit–risk perspective. Using structural equation modeling, it examines factors that influence this willingness, like readers’ attitudes, trust, perceived benefit, and perceived risk. The results show that perceived benefits positively affect the willingness to adopt, while perceived risks have a negative effect. Readers’ attitudes and trust indirectly influence this willingness by affecting their benefit–risk perceptions. This study is practically significant for guiding strategies to boost readers’ willingness to use digital services, offering valuable insights for universities in digital transformation complexity.