Awareness and use of OPACs in five Delhi libraries

Mehtab Alam Ansari · Amita Amita

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Library Science and Information Literacy Library Science and Information Web and Library Services

Abstract

Purpose The objective of this study is to establish the opinion of users with respect to the awareness and utilisation of, as well as their satisfaction level with, the use of the online public access catalogue (OPAC). Design/methodology/approach The paper deals with the applicability and utility of OPACs in five libraries in New Delhi, namely the Indian Institute of Technology; Jawaharlal Nehru University Library; Dr Zakir Husain Library, Jamia Millia Islamia; National Information System for Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR); and the Defence Science Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC). A questionnaire was developed and distributed randomly to 128 users including undergraduates and post graduate students as well as MPhil. and PhD scholars. Users returned 115 completed questionnaires of which 100 were selected for analysis. Findings The paper finds that the OPAC system has changed the traditional concept of access to library resources. It allows simple as well as complex searches. Document access is still one of the most important approaches of users to visit the library, and a study of the effectiveness of an OPAC is useful in this respect. Regarding results, sometimes users face problems of recall and precision. However, in some searches users are not able to find relevant documents on account of various factors. Data show that a high percentage of respondents are utilising the OPAC as a search tool for retrieving documents. Also, most of the users handle the OPAC themselves. Significantly, the satisfaction level of users was high with the OPAC facilities. Nevertheless, not many users are aware of the expert searches provided by OPAC. Originality/value The paper focuses on many aspects of OPACs, particularly those in India. Librarians, especially those from developing nations, may choose their library automation software packages keeping in view the user's expectation with respect to OPACs.

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2009A study on the effective use of online public access catalogue at the libraries of engineering colleges in Karnataka (India)2013Awareness and Use of Online Public Access Catalogue by Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.2012Use of computer, internet, and library OPACs among rural and urban postgraduates in Indian universities 2011Online Public Access Catalogue Usage at Panjab University Library 2013User perception and use of OPAC: a comparison of three universities in the Punjab region of India 2013A STUDY ON THE USE OF ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGUE (OPAC) BY STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS OF UNNAMALAI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN KOVILPATTI (TAMIL NADU)2018ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGUE (OPAC) USAGE PATTERNS AMONG THE LIBRARY USERS OF ODISHA: A STUDY 2014Relationship of OPAC users' satisfaction with their demographic characteristics, computer skills, user education, user assistance and user-friendly OPAC

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