Andrew has saved me some typing as our situation in Cambs is broadly similar
to that in W&M.
A couple of other points:
In many places PN PCs replaced OPACs as a pragmatic matter - new money was
there for PN PCs that wasn't there for new OPACs. Given that each branch has
a physical limit to the amount of space available we didn't want to look a
gift horse in the mouth or somesuch.
Also we are finding some resistance from users to different iterations of
OPAC. Some users swear by (and at) text based terminal OPACs and dismiss the
gui based OPACs out of hand. Given that I can't imagine too much active
development is being done on text based OPACs by any system vendor there's a
battle for us to win in the coming years.
Robert Day
ICT Manager
Cambridgeshire Libraries
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Lewis
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: 14/01/04 11:00
Subject: Re: FW: Is this the end for OPACs?
We have 2 dedicated computers with catalogue and online reference tools
only in each of our two main libraries (Windsor Library; Maidenhead
Library)
These have unlimited time to use LIS provided catalogue and e-stock.
This was in response to customer comments, such as started this thread.
These are used, but nowhere near as much as other PCs. (The only idle
computer as I write this in Maidenhead library)
All other machines in these libraries have timed access to Internet and
Office, but untimed access to catalogue and e-stock.
The smaller community libraries typically only have between 2-4
computers and the use of the Internet and Office far outstrips catalogue
use (1:100 is I would say and underestimate). For this reason we do not
have any dedicated catalogue-only computers in these small libraries,
because it would reduce the service for the vast majority of customers
by increasing waiting time.
Here, the ability to find books on the catalogue is still available by
staff who generally do a better job as they know the library (and often
the customer) and can make other suggestions etc.
-----Original Message-----
From: Margaret Snook [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 14 January 2004 10:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: FW: Is this the end for OPACs?
We have dedicated OPACs in all our libraries - and for a short time
when they weren't working due to a technical problem we did receive
complaints from the public. However in the very small libraries the
OPACs do often lie unused alongside over-subscribed PN computers so we
are now considering allowing dual use of the OPAC computers - the public
will be able to use them for 15 minutes to send emails etc. but they
won't be able to book them in advance. This means that anyone coming to
use the OPAC or with a stock query can either get the staff to do if for
them or wait a maximum of 15 minutes to get access to the OPAC.
Margaret Snook
Greenwich Council
"Hall, Chris" wrote:
May I take the liberty of forwarding this on to lis-pub-libs? Not sure
how many public librarians get to see lis-link, but apologies if I have
created a deluge of duplicate postings! I would certainly be interested
to see the responses.
Chris Hall
Bibliographical Services Librarian
Corporation of London Libraries
Email:[log in to unmask]
Tel: 020 7332 1075
Textphone: 020 7332 3803
-----Original Message-----
From: Aidan Turner-bishop [ mailto:[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]> ]
Sent: 13 January 2004 18:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Is this the end for OPACs?
My local public library service has made a policy decision to replace
OPACs in its libraries with People's Network PCs. This means that there
are no more dedicated OPAC library catalogues in Lancashire Libraries.
If you want to to find out where a book is you have either to book a PC
- busily used by emailers and web surfers - or queue up and ask busy
library staff to tell you where you can find the book. I have been told
by the Assistant County Library Manager Resources that the decision was
taken because of "An awareness that fewer than one person in a hundred
coming into a public library would normally consult the catalogue on a
regular basis".
Now, am I just a fuddy duddy or isn't this policy just so patronising
and unhelpful, especially for local history researchers, students,
business users and many others who don't wish to be treated like
children? Is this an effective way to maximise use of the thousands of
pounds-worth of unused assets (old books) kept in reserve stocks in
public libraries? Is this Best Value? Does this improve access?
Is this excuse used elsewhere to withdraw OPACs from public use? Is
Lancashire bracingly avant-guard or has this been done elsewhere? Are
catalogues the new steam mangles? Will cataloguers soon only be seen in
folk museums, alongside cloggers and coal miners? Are they just wasting
their time? What do you think please?
Aidan Turner-Bishop
Preston, Lancashire
(and LCC council tax payer too)
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