Pemanfaatan Akun Instagram @lib.unand dalam Pemenuhan Kebutuhan Informasi Mahasiwa Universitas Andalas

This study explores the utilization of the Instagram account @lib.unand, managed by the Universitas Andalas Library, in addressing the diverse information needs of university students in a digital era. As the academic environment becomes increasingly shaped by technological advances and social media use, academic libraries are challenged to transform their communication and outreach strategies. Instagram, a widely- used visual platform, offers the potential to bridge the gap between library services and stud ents’ expectations for accessible, engaging, and timely information. Using a descriptive quantitative approach, data were collected from 381 students who follow the @lib.unand account, selected through Slovin’s formula from a total of 8,060 followers. The questionnaire was designed based on the Uses and Gratification theory, encompassing five types of needs: cognitive, affective, personal, social, and escapist. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to identify the extent to which the Instagram account fulfills these needs. The results indicate that @lib.unand is moderately effective in supporting students' information needs, with an overall mean score of 3.21 on a 4-point Likert scale. Cognitive needs received the highest fulfillment (3.34), followed by personal (3.29), social (3.20), affective (3.17), and escapist (3.06) needs. While the account effectively provides academic updates and general information, it lacks dynamic content, interactive features, and consistent student engagement. These findings suggest that Instagram can be a strategic tool for academic libraries to enhance digital service delivery, yet it must be supported by innovative content design, interactive communication, and user- centered strategies. The study contributes to the academic discussion on digital library services and offers practical recommendations for improving social media engagement in higher education libraries, particularly in developing countries where digital transformation is still evolving.