OPAC

OPAC. ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOG.

Introduction. Definition of OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog): A database that describes about documents through bibliographic entries that are made up of fields which can be enquired or “query” (essentially author, title and subject fields that users will request for).

SEARCHING FUNCTION. A question function that enables access to indexes in the databases Users determine the fields or the criteria that they want to submit to the OPAC Or the system will choose a number of criteria (access to a general index) and will suggest entries found under different entries according to the search results In some cases, one set of references or authority that allows an item (author, or subject, or language of a document) is stated in a consistent way in the database, and is retrieved in the same way This mechanism presupposes that the documents have already been indexed according to the regulations established for both the physical description and the document contents (subject index).

OPAC enquiry function can be viewed from a few angles:.

Screen Display:. Perpustakaan c NIVERSITI run Abdul Rank ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOG UiTM Libraries web OPAC Search Browse Search: Hi Guest Add All to Cart 'Title Lc-wut Help Journals ISBN search Accession Search Show-Cart PHRASE("library management") Articles Save Search 183 Record(s) in Database ,Or er y E-books Hits: 10 UiTM Librarie v Back Books Hits: 183 Hits : 2 No image Journals Hits : O Need help? Your information expert is ready to help No image Academic librarianship, 2010 Aire, Camila A. Z675.U5 4427 2010 UiTM Shah Alam,UiTM Negeri Kelantan 890167 + Academic Libraries Dhiman, Anil K. ZS75.U5 045 2002 UiTM Shah Alam IOA5850* , 2002 No image McCabe, Gerard 8. Z675.U5 .A23 1992 UiTM Johor Ciut Lüarun.

Ways to formulate question: free searching (Basic serach ).

Ways to formulate question:. TEKNOtXKi1 ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOG Search Keyword(s) Keyword(s) Keyword(s) Browse Joumals ISBN search Accession Search Enter Text to Search Enter Text to Search Enter Text to Search Filters Type All O OR O OR Site Publishing Year e AND AND Show-Cart Connect O NOT Connect as: O NOT as: in Fields: in Fields: in Felds: Any Field Any Field Any Field PHRASE UiTM Shah Alam Database Databases Select Language Basic Advanced Additional 29 UiTM Librarie Chat Lüarim.

Query dialog with the OPAC. the results obtained after inputting a search is the display of a list of subject headings or a list of brief entries If only 1 entry matches the query, OPAC automatically displays the entry in a complete format or standard (not mere 2 rows of brief information) At every step of the dialog, users need to choose subject headings or brief entries that enable the selection of more accurate responses If users are dissatisfied with the results displayed (subject heading or entries that do not match what is searched), the solution is to make a new search If users are dissatisfied with the answers offered (“ No hits. Please put your query differently ” – seems to be the most typical message) There is no HELP offered to enable the users to conduct another search Using the OPAC is like fishing for fish: If you fish for subject headings – it is whether you are able to get your catch or not!.

Example of list of brief entries. ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOG such 13797 Accession S s howcart u,rv Search: Hits : , Order "Title" of egs tg•s image Hits Basic 140 13797 Record(s) in image Hits : 1-2-3 Hits 1-2-3 m 196-5 213385* Back uiTM. Maevsia.

so01871. Narrow vertical.

OPACs. USER INTERFACES.

USER INTERFACES TO OPACs. Human-Computer Interface? Term originally applied to that portion of the application software with which the system user came into direct contact.

Lawrence, Matthews, and Hiller (1983). Interface features are those that involve the “user interface” - the interaction between the user and the online catalog system.

Examples of interface features:. Search method Display formats Online assistance Instruction.

Prominent characteristic of interface features. generally created in a layer of software that lies between the user at the terminal and the actual search and retrieval mechanism of the catalog Interface “software” exists to translate the user’s entries into search and display commands that the catalog system can use Then translates and formats computer results into a form that the user can understand It should be possible to add, change or remove interface features without changing the basic structure of the online catalog system To clarify the distinction: Interface software can be modified to change the way (or add to new ways) that the user enters a subject search But adding subject search capabilities where they do not already exist requires significant structural changes beyond the scope of the interface software.

So according to this view:. User-computer interface is simply part of the software Does not include hardware or data structures.

Moran (1981). “Psychologically, the user interface is any part of the computer system that the user comes in contact with – either physically, perceptually, or conceptually … The user interface is more than an add-on component; it penetrates deep into the computer system. The user interface must be considered early in the design process if it is to be really designed and not just happen.”.

C ategories of OPAC features. 1. Features that can be left as a matter of local option Do not require the creation of new national standards or the revision of existing standards There is no reason for every library to offer the same HELP messages.

C ategories of OPAC features. 2. Features that are relatively independent of existing national standards. While an attempt to create a new national standard for command languages is presently being made, this attempt should proceed independently of existing national standards for record designs, such as MARC, AACR 2, DDC, LCSH & LCC.

C ategories of OPAC features. 3. Features consist of those that do not exist independently of existing national standards for record design.

Conclusion. All these features operate upon : descriptive cataloging records descriptive and subject access points that have been prepared, chosen and structured according to various national standards.

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