[1492] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
RE: Incompatibility among Library Catalogs on the Internet
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (PEMMONS%WCU.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu)
Thu Oct 15 17:54:49 1992
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 16:26:59 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: PEMMONS%WCU.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
In-Reply-To: Your message of 10/13/92 15:33
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Hannah King's points about users' frustrations using other OPACs are
particularly well taken when they concern hardware or software mismatches
resulting in malfunctions.
However, "time taken to unravel" the powers of a different OPAC is a type of
problem hardly unique to electronic media. When not in a position to do all of
an inquirer's work for him and present him with a pre-packaged answer to his
question, it is quite in order for a librarian to refer him to one or more
promising reference works. The challenge of becoming familiar with its
organization, format, abbreviation schemes, etc. is, it seems to me, quite
analogous to learning one's way around an OPAC. The chief requirement in each
situation is a modicum of curiosity and patience instead of expecting instant
gratification. If a patron is inclined to blame the librarian or the library
for the slightest difficulty encountered, I guess that he will do it as quickly
in the one situation as in the other.
Paul Emmons, West Chester University
