Some belated contibutions to the debate - I had been inadvertently "suspended"
from the lists , and this posting wouldn't go out earlier today.
Fortunately, contributors have said it all, especially that man Marshall, blast
him (but love him too)!
But better late than never...
Regards
JU
*****
Similar issues occur here, and I presume everywhere.
Space availability and planning is critical - what, for example, is appropriate
for a large "tradtional" library with separate Lending, Children and Ref spaces
may well be different from a "modern" multipurpose space.
Is the PN provision separate from other provision? is it all one?
Is the "learning" function separate or integrated?
Where is the Accessibility provision, and is with the OPAC or other functions?
Are the OPAC's seated or walk-up/kiosk?
I feel we also have to re-consider the purpose of the OPAC, from being a pointer
to our content via the catalogue, to accessing value-added catalogue metadata
(e.g. Table of Contents, book jacket "blurb"), or to full content we hold
internally (e.g. CD-ROM or server-based solutions), or externally
(e-subscriptions). That is now *our* content, not just the Catalogue.
We are in transition, as are the users, and the demands from them upon us. The
debate is an excellent one, and needs to be had.
Perhaps one for a Resource Workshop?
Regards
JU
-------------------------------------------
John Usher
ICT Development Manager
Islington Library and Cultural Services
Regeneration & Education Department
Central Library
2 Fieldway Crescent
LONDON N5 1PF
Tel: +44 (0)20 7527 6920
Mobile: +44 (0)79 2900 9686
Fax: +44 (0)20 7527 6926
Switchboard: +44 (0)20 7527 6900
mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://www.islington.gov.uk/libraries
This email account may be opened by others in the owner's absence
____________________Reply Separator____________________
Subject: Re: FW: Is this the end for OPACs?
Author: "Margaret Snook" <SMTP:[log in to unmask]>
Date: 14/01/04 10:01
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]]
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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