[629] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
RE: Third Generation OPAC
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (KINGH%SNYSYRV1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.e)
Tue Jun 30 11:48:59 1992
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1992 10:45:25 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: KINGH%SNYSYRV1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
We are focusing almost entirely on the computer in these discussions which
is only one way of anwering the question: "What purposes will next generation
OPACs be expected to fulfill?" Another way of answering the question, as
some have pointed out, is to focus on the users of next generation OPACs:
what will they need and what will they want? Who will they be? If they're
among the growing ranks of those unable to read at more than a 4th grade
level, for example, we may want to design an interface that uses 4th grade
vocabulary. If they're among the growing ranks of spanish-speaking residents
in California, we may want to make sure OPACS are multi-lingual? If our users
have special needs (visual, hearing augmentation for example), then our OPACS
must be designed to meet these needs.
Sometimes I feel that it is the hardware and software designers and
programmers who are directing our attention. They create some new bell and
whistle and immediately we try to find a use for the bell or whistle. But
what might be more useful is to direct these designers and programmers with
information as to the needs, the limitations, the goals, the work of our users.
And we should be certain that our users are not going to be confronted by
a "gee whiz" system when all they want to know is does this library have
this book and is it available for circulation. We should also be certain that
the next generation OPAC is not so expensive we cannot afford to stock our
libraries with the best and most current literature possible. After all access
to out-dated items that are in poor condition is not going to be valued no
matter how luxurious the journey.
Hannah King
SUNY HSC Library at Syracuse
kingh@snysyrv1
kingh@vax.cs.hscsyr.edu
