The Literacy Infrastructure Paradox: A Multilevel Structural Analysis of Institutional Capacity, Service Translation, and Intrinsic Motivation in Predicting Literacy Behavior

Educational systems invest heavily in literacy infrastructure, assuming expanded institutional capacity will directly improve reading engagement. However, empirical evidence shows inconsistent links between structural expansion and individual literacy behavior. This study introduces Literacy Infrastructure Paradox, highlighting the disconnect between supply-side capacity and demand-side behavior. Using large-scale survey and library data across multiple regions, the analysis applies multilevel modeling and structural equation techniques. Findings reveal that intrinsic motivation strongly predicts literacy engagement, while institutional capacity has weak effects when psychological factors are considered. The results challenge infrastructure-focused policies and emphasize the critical role of motivation in shaping literacy behavior across diverse.