Development and validation of Students’ Library Alienation Scale (SLAS): a factor analysis approach

Purpose This study presents a unique Student Library Alienation Scale and introduces the concept of student alienation from libraries within an educational setting. It aims to develop and validate a reliable and valid measurement tool, “Student Library Alienation Scale (SLAS)”. Design/methodology/approach The research employs a rigorous empirical design, utilizing exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with 492 university students and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with 386 students from Indian universities. The scale’s development involved an expert review, a pilot study, and statistical analysis to establish its psychometric properties. Findings The EFA and CFA results confirm the SLAS’s four-factor structure, reflecting the dimensions of powerlessness, meaninglessness, normlessness, and estrangement. The scale demonstrates high reliability (Cronbach’s a = 0.815) and validity, including convergent and discriminant validity. Chi-square tests of the model, CFI, TLI, RMSEA, SRMR, GFI, and other indices indicated the fit of the scale model. Research limitations/implications The study’s sample is limited to Indian university students. Further research should examine the scale’s applicability across different cultures and educational contexts. Practical implications The SLAS offers a practical tool for library and information science professionals to assess and address student/user alienation. By understanding the levels and dimensions of alienation, interventions can be designed to improve library engagement and student well-being. Social implications The study’s findings highlight the importance of addressing library alienation to create inclusive and supportive learning environments. By fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment within library spaces, educational institutions can enhance student experiences and promote academic success. Originality/value This study is the first to explore and measure library alienation among college and university students.