Awareness and Perception of Students Toward Execution of Internet of Things in Library Services: A study of Indian Institute Technologies of Northern India

2.1 IoT and Libraries

One of the most significant technological developments of the twenty-first century is the IoT. Embedded devices allow for real-time internet-based communication between people, processes, and objects by connecting common objects (Veeraiah et al., 2022). The idea behind the IoT is to connect actual objects by providing them with sensors, actuators, and an Internet connection. According to Dijkman, Sprenkels, Peeters, and Janssen (2015), the IoT is a vast network that uses virtual objects or things with attributes, auto-IDs, and self-configuration. The IoT is a network of intangible, self-communicating, web-enabled objects that has demonstrated remarkable outcomes in real-time data generation through the use of smart sensors. Kevin Ashton coined the phrase “Internet-of-Things” in 1999 (Firouzi, Farahani, Weinberger, DePace, & Aliee, 2020). According to him, “I may be wrong, but I think the term ‘IoT’ came from the title of a talk I did at Procter & Gamble (P&G) back in 1999.” Connecting P&G’s supply chain’s new RFID technology to the hot subject of the day – the Internet – was more than just a shrewd way to get management attention. It summarized an important idea that is still frequently misinterpreted (Ashton, 2009; Kumar & Mallick, 2018). Tim Berner Lee’s vision for the IoT aimed to leverage web technology and protocols to make it simple to create web applications that took advantage of real-world objects (Gupta & Singh, 2018). IoT can improve many government services, including transportation, education, healthcare, and agriculture. It can also revolutionize society by increasing citizens’ desire to use technology in the digital society (Shammar & Zahary, 2019).

The rise of IoT technology has significantly changed how libraries conduct work, resulting in more efficient operations, better-automated management, and kinder services (Wang & Zhao, 2015). By creating a connection between readers and books, the IoT system gives consumers access to a variety of reader services. The IoT makes it feasible to conduct intelligent administration, analyze reader behavior, and enable intelligent self-borrowing and return of books (Fu, 2021). With these extensive capabilities, IoT can assist in redefining libraries by reengineering their services and putting a greater emphasis on total quality management or quality of services to attain overall customer satisfaction (Mohideen, Kiran, & Muhamad, 2017).

2.2 The Implication of IoT in Libraries

IoT has a lot to do with libraries, but it hasn’t quite found its way into the conventional library setting (Wójcik, 2016). Libraries can become self-communicating, fast-growing dynamic systems that can easily adapt to user demand in a supply chain by transforming from isolated systems through the power of the IoT. Academic libraries are transitioning from physical to more technologically oriented service delivery (Chiu & Wong, 2023) and providing users with access to library resources via mobile Internet (Dei, 2020). With the help of IoT, libraries can provide widely accessible self-contained virtual tours (Sinha, Panja, & Brar, 2022). IoT applications can be used in self-checkout, stock-taking, asset tracking, asset monitoring, access control, robot stock-taking in libraries, smart inventory, intelligent querying, and the fusion of books and information systems. It may also provide management systems with low-cost real-world data. IoT can provide new tools and opportunities in terms of information sharing, tracking and tracing services, and push notification services (Li, 2014; Liang, 2020). IoT applications in libraries, specifically sensors for fire alarms/lights/gate entry/temperature/locks/managing energy and water consumption, enhancing efficiency, and providing smart and easy control of library buildings with surveillance systems (Kumar, 2023). The potential impact of IoT on libraries includes the following: location-based services, appliance management, collection management, and availability of the library’s resources; additionally, novel approaches are suggested, such as the use of virtual library cards, smart digital shelves, cloud services, RFID tag integration into member cards for resource access, management of fine collections, and improved inventory control (Pujar & Satyanarayana, 2015). Through mobile technology, library mobile apps, automation, the Internet of Everything, service research and enhancement, and possible economic opportunities, IoT plays a part in location services for libraries (Hahn, 2017; Jim, 2017; Massis, 2016). A large number of contemporary libraries, particularly in Asia, do not fully integrate “smart technology” into their buildings which points to a lack of general adoption of the more sophisticated IoT strategies (Hussain & Ahmad, 2021). Libraries may boost efficiency and provide a better experience for patrons by combining facial recognition technology, modern RFID systems, and collection identification technology, as well as utilizing IoT to plot data and identify patterns. However, careful consideration of the potential repercussions, as well as collaboration between library staff and patrons, will be required to identify the most effective and feasible ways to implement these improvements (Cheung, Lo, Chiu, & Wei, 2023).

3.1 Quantitative Study

5.1 Gender-Wise Distribution

The responses were elicited from male and female respondents from each undertaken IITs for the study. Table 3 presents the gender distribution of respondents (Postgraduate and Research Scholars) according to institutions. A careful effort has been made to distribute the questionnaire equally to male and female respondents. The results revealed that of the population size of 780 respondents, male respondents were 663(85%) and 117(15%) were female respondents. Based on category distribution, the total PG male respondents were 307(84.8%), RS male respondents were 356(85.2%), whereas PG female respondents were 55(15.2%) and RS female respondents were 62(14.8%).

According to the IIT-wise response rate, most of the respondents were from IIT Delhi (242, 31%) and the lowest was from IIT BHU (91, 11.7%). The response rate depends upon the sample size of the population which is highest in the case of IIT Delhi and lowest in the case of IIT BHU. Focusing on a low response rate of female respondents depends upon the lack of support; hesitation and non-availability of female respondents were the factors for the collection of a lower percentage of questionnaires and thus received higher responses from male respondents.

5.2 Age-Group Wise Distribution

The involvement of age groups in a survey study is crucial since it can have a considerable impact on the research and the overall insights gathered from the investigation. Different age groups frequently exhibit diverse behaviors, opinions, and attitudes, which can provide significant insights. Table 4 represents the institute-wise distribution of age groups of uses. The results elucidate that most of the respondents belong to the age group 26–30 years, i.e., 379 (48.6%), followed by 21–25 years, i.e., 321 (41.2%), and the least number of respondents from above 30-year age group 80 (10.3%). The result suggests that most of the respondents were in the middle age group of which RS had the highest number of contributors in the study.

5.3 Year of Course-Wise Distribution

The year of the course-wise distribution of students can have a considerable impact on their comprehension of the IoT. Different years of a course may focus on different parts of IoT education and skill development. First- and second-year students set the groundwork for IoT knowledge and abilities, understanding the fundamental principles and tools. Third-year students begin to specialize and investigate certain areas of IoT, obtaining a deeper understanding of specific domains. Fourth-year or graduating students are required to have a broad understanding of IoT, be capable of handling challenging problems, and demonstrate their competency through capstone projects. The precise distribution of IoT-related content each year varies per educational institution and program. Table 5 reflects the year of course-wise distribution of postgraduate and research scholar respondents.

The first-year respondents were new entrants on the campus, and the fifth and above-year respondents had stayed on the campus for the past years (Table 3). Thus, this distribution helped in understanding better, whether users’ awareness and perception changed with a change in their academic years. Table 5 shows that 346 (44.4%) of the users were in the second year, followed by 154 (19.7%) in first year, 109 (14%) respondents in fifth and above year, and the least number of respondents in third year 70 (9%). Most of the respondents were from second year of their course as 259 (71%) of them belonged to PG and 87 (20.8%) were research scholars. This shows the maximum number of respondents due to the combined response of PG and RS.

5.4 Visit to the Library

Table 6 represents the relative frequency (N = 780) in accordance with the frequency of respondents' visits to the library of respondents (PG and RS) of selected five IITs of Northern India.

In this study focusing on the implementation of the IoT in library services, the frequency of library visits can play a significant impact. Understanding how frequently users visit the library can provide significant insights into their interaction with library resources, familiarity with present services, and potential openness to adopting IoT-based upgrades. The results reveal a matter of concern as most of the respondents occasionally visit the library (419, 53.7%), followed by visitors once in a week (136, 17.4%). The Chi-square test was applied regarding the frequency of visiting the library among the respondents in two categories. Based on the test results, most of the p-values were lower (<0.05), indicating significant differences among the postgraduates and research scholars.

5.5 Library Services Availed by Students

Examining and investigating the library services that students use can be very important to the ongoing enhancement of library services. It offers insightful information on the requirements, preferences, and difficulties faced by library patrons and information that can help guide choices and develop effective plans for raising the caliber and applicability of library services. Table 7 represents the library services availed by postgraduate students and research scholars of selected IITs of Northern India.

The findings revealed that most of the students avail following library services Internet/Wifi (711, 91.2%), followed by library website (669, 85.8%), remote access to library (576, 73.8%), digital library (535, 68.6%), real-time update (504, 64.6%), user authentication through biometrics (460, 59%), Self Issue/return kiosk (453, 58.1%), QR Code for payments (304, 39%), virtual library orientation (291, 37.3%), and least availed auto recommendations for book purchasing (202, 25.9%). The Chi-square test was applied regarding the library services availed among the respondents in two categories. Based on test results, most of the p-values were lower (<0.05) indicating significant differences among the postgraduates and research scholars.

5.6 Sources of Familiarity with IoT

Students’ acquaintance with the IoT can have a significant impact on their comprehension and engagement with this technology. The importance of various sources of familiarity varies based on the individual student’s interests, goals, and level of exposure to IoT. A mixture of these sources can help students gain a comprehensive grasp of IoT and prepare them for careers in this quickly evolving industry.

Table 8 reveals that most of the students got familiar with IoT from browsing on Web/Internet (471, 60.4%) of which 248 (68.5%) were PG students and 223 (53.3%) were research scholars, followed by those from social networking sites (397, 50.9%), from research projects (388, 49.7%), from conference, workshop, webinars and faculty development programs (338, 43.3%), professional discussion and meetings (333, 42.7%), part of curriculum (329, 42.2%), and least preferred from other sources (231, 29.6%). The Chi-square test was applied regarding the source of awareness about IoT among the respondents in two categories. Based on test results, it was concluded with mixed responses in the p-values. The p-values were greater (p > 0.05) for browsing on the Web/Internet and social networking sites, indicating that there were no significant variations among the postgraduates and research scholars.

5.7 IoT Technology Implemented in Library Services

Table 9 depicts the possibility of implementing IoT in various library services IITs.

The findings reveal that most of the respondents were in favor that commercial model of IoT technology can be implemented in various library services of IITs of Northern India 84.7%. While comparing categories, the results revealed that 87.3% of postgraduate students and 82.3% of research scholars were in favor of the commercial model of IoT technology that can be implemented in various library services of IITs of Northern India. On comparing IIT, most of the students from IIT Roorkee Postgraduate students, 91.2, and 77.2% of research scholars were in favor of the commercial model of IoT technology being implemented in various library services of IITs of Northern India. The Chi-square test was applied regarding the application of the commercial model of IoT in libraries among the respondents in two categories. Based upon test results, the p-values were greater (p > 0.05) indicating that there were no significant variations among the postgraduates and research scholars.

5.8 Acceptance of Implementation of IoT in Library Services of IITs

Table 10 represents the acceptance of postgraduate students and research scholars of IITs of Northern India toward the implementation of IoT in library services. The results revealed that most of the respondents were in favor of implementing IoT in library services, i.e., 349 (44.7%) out of which 161 were postgraduate (44.5%) and 188 were research scholars (45%). The Chi-square test was applied regarding the acceptance of the implementation of IoT in library services among the respondents in two categories. Based on test results, the p-values were greater (p > 0.05) indicating that there were no significant variations among the postgraduates and research scholars.

5.9 Benefits to the Users by Implementation of IoT Library Services

Students’ perceptions of the benefits of IoT library services are important to the effective adoption and use of these services as discussed in Table 11. Students are major stakeholders and users of library resources, and their impressions of IoT-based services can have a substantial impact on their acceptance and effectiveness. The input from students on their experiences with IoT library services is invaluable. Their impressions and input assist in identifying areas for improvement, allowing libraries to refine and improve services to better meet the needs and expectations of users. The benefits of IoT library services that students perceive have a direct impact on their propensity to accept and use these services. Positive impressions, such as viewing IoT as a simple and fast method of accessing and interacting with library materials, can lead to increased adoption.

On observation of the response of postgraduate students and research scholars regarding the benefits to the users by implementation of IoT library services, the findings show that the IoT will ensure better and efficient utilization of library resources: postgraduate students, 331 (91.4%), and research scholars, 363 (86.8%), followed by real-time information accessibility: 318 postgraduate students (87.8%), and 373 research scholars (89.2%), recommend IoT-based library services: 322 postgraduate students (89%), and 368 research scholars (88%). System content quality will be updated postgraduate students, 316 (87.3%), and research scholars, 372 (89%); it will increase the quality of library services: postgraduate students, 325 (89.8%); and research scholars, 361 (86.4%); the efficiency of library services will increase with the implementation of IoT postgraduate students, 304 (84%), and research scholars, 370 (88.5%). It will increase the productivity of library services postgraduate students, 307 (84.8%), and research scholars, 363 (86.8%); be useful in emergencies for postgraduate students, 307 (84.8%), and research scholars, 356 (85.2%); promote information literacy postgraduate students, 320 (88.4%), and research scholars, 342 (81.8%); and least preferred reduce the manpower requirement postgraduate students, 308 (85.1%), and research scholars, 328 (78.5%). The Chi-square test was applied regarding the benefits of IoT in library services among the respondents in two categories. Based on test results, the p-values were lower (<0.05) for most of the variables indicating significant differences among the postgraduates and research scholars.

6.1 Present Status of Library Service

The results revealed a matter of concern as most of the respondents occasionally visit the library and avail following library services like Internet/Wifi, followed by library website, remote access to the library, digital library, real-time updates, user authentication through biometrics, self-issue/return kiosk, QR code for payments, virtual library orientation.

6.2 Extent of Awareness and Perception Toward IoT-Based Library Services

For various reasons, increasing student understanding of the IoT and its uses in library services is critical. It not only prepares students for the digital age but also encourages them to use technology-driven library resources and services. Students are more likely to use IoT applications in libraries if they are aware of these services. They can, for example, use smartphone apps to find books, access digital resources, or collaborate in smart environments. IoT awareness helps libraries learn how to personalize services depending on customer preferences and behaviors. Customized recommendations, reminders, and notifications can help students. Students who are aware of IoT in libraries can actively participate in defining the direction of technology deployments by working with library personnel and administration. Their opinions can be useful in developing user-centered solutions.

The results revealed that most of the students got familiar with IoT from browsing on the Web/Internet, followed by social networking sites, research projects, conferences, workshops, webinars and faculty development programs, professional discussions, and meetings, part of the curriculum and least preferred from other sources as also observed by Gupta and Singh (2018). On observation of the response of postgraduate students and research scholars regarding the level of awareness and perception toward the application of IoT in library services, the findings show that the commercial model of IoT technology can be implemented in various library services of IITs of Northern India and respondents were in favor to implement IoT in library services. They believed that IoT will ensure better and more efficient utilization of library resources, followed by real-time information accessibility, and recommend IoT-based library services; system content quality will be updated; it will increase the quality of the library; the efficiency of library services will increase with the implementation of IoT; it will increase the productivity of library services, useful in an emergency situation, promote information literacy as also highlighted by Kumar (2023).