Information Authenticity Dimensions and Academic Librarian Service Performance: Evidence from Malaysian Public Universities

The growing complexity of digital information environments has made information authenticity a critical competency for academic librarians, particularly in supporting teaching, learning, and research activities in higher education. This study investigates the influence of information authenticity dimensions on academic librarian service performance in Malaysian public universities. Information authenticity refers to the degree to which information is perceived as credible, accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to academic librarians employed in public university libraries across Malaysia. A total of 349 valid responses were obtained and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analyses. The findings indicate that all information authenticity dimensions demonstrate significant positive relationships with academic librarian service performance. Among the examined dimensions, familiarity and assurance emerged as the strongest predictors of service performance, highlighting the importance of librarians' confidence in evaluating information sources and their familiarity with authentic information practices. The results further suggest that strengthening competencies related to information authenticity contributes to improved professional performance, service quality, and user trust in academic library services. This study provides empirical evidence on the role of information authenticity in enhancing librarian performance and offers practical implications for library management, professional development initiatives, and policy formulation. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on information authenticity within academic libraries and support the development of evidence-based strategies to improve information services in Malaysian public universities.

Information authenticity; Information authenticity dimensions; Academic librarian; Service performance

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