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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