Empowering users with a new online catalog
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830010333464 |
| Pages | 130-141 |
| Published date | 01 June 2000 |
| Date | 01 June 2000 |
| Author | Shawn V. Lombardo,Kristine S. Condic |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Empowering users with
a new online catalog
Shawn V. Lombardo and
Kristine S. Condic
Introduction
Online catalog users today face more search
options than they realize and many they do not
use. Prior to computers, identifying library
materials was straightforward: the card catalog
contained definitive searching methods ±
author, title, or subject.
Whether this catalog was combined or
divided was immaterial; patrons knew their
options and used them. However, this
simplicity disappeared with the advent of the
online public access catalog. The original text-
based electronic systems provided limited
search avenues, but nonetheless required library
patrons to know how to develop a viable search
strategy. This was a knowledge that many users
did not possess.
The development of second-generation
online catalogs has launched many new search
and display features that are beginning to
empower library patrons to manipulate OPACs
to meet their own needs. For example, remote
access and electronic reserve features free users
to search for ± and view ± information from
their home or office at their convenience. Many
systems allow patrons to place holds on charged
items by themselves, eliminating the need for
library staff to act as intermediaries between
patron and OPAC. Besides remote access
capabilities, newer online systems have taken
advantage of other Internet technologies; these
include the adoption of search engine designs to
OPAC interfaces, relevance ranking of search
results, and the ability to download or e-mail
these results.
These OPACs also support ``one stop
shopping'' for users who can now link to remote
Web pages and full-text information from
within the OPAC. However, most searchers still
encounter the same search problems they met
with first-generation systems; that is, these
systems are not yet designed to assist novice
users of the online catalog in the development
of productive search strategies. This article will
explore some of the new features available to
OPAC users and report on a study conducted
to determine if students in an academic library
accept and fully utilize a new graphical second-
generation online catalog.
The authors
Shawn V. Lombardo is an Assistant Professor and
Information Literacy Librarian, and Kristine S. Condic is an
Associate Professor and Electronic Resource Librarian both
at Kresge Library, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan,
USA.
Keywords
Libraries, Methods, Information retrieval, Attitude surveys,
Questionnaires
Abstract
In June 1998 Oakland University's library migrated to a new
online catalog. In order to determine user acceptance of the
new OPAC, students receiving library instruction were asked
to complete an open-ended questionnaire eliciting comments
on their likes, dislikesand online catalog preference. Fromthe
data collected, a second questionnaire was designed and
distributed that focused on specific features of the new
catalog identified in the first survey. Results indicated that
users overwhelmingly preferred the new OPAC and found it
easy to use; however, they experienced some difficulty using
special features like truncation. The most popular feature of
the new catalog was its remote access capability. Second-
generation OPACs possess features ± such as electronic
reserves capabilities and hypertext links ± that are beginning
to simplify the search process; but they have not yet
developed into the intuitive, comprehensive systems that can
empower users to seek information in new ways.
Electronic access
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emerald-library.com
130
Library Hi Tech
Volume 18 .Number 2 .2000 .pp. 130±141
#MCB University Press .ISSN 0737-8831
To continue reading
Request your trial