OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog)
Online Public Access Catalog is a computerized library
catalog, which is also available from remote computers, e.g. on the
Internet. OPACs have almost everywhere replaced the
former card catalogs.
Library catalogs were prior to 1980s mainly paper based. During the 1980s became they available as on-line databases. This allowed users to search the catalog from remote terminals, e.g. from the users' homes. OPACs also provide better search possibilities.
Literature:
Antelman, K.; Lynema, E. & Pace, A. K. (2006). Toward a twenty-first century library catalog. Information Technology & Libraries, 25(3), 128-139.
Bates, M. (1989). Rethinking subject cataloguing in the online
environment. Library Resources and Technical Services, 33 (4), 400-412.
Beaulieu, M. & Borgman, C. L. (1996). A new era for OPAC research: introduction to special topic issue on current research in on-line public access systems. Journal of the American Society for Information Science, 47(7), 491-492.
FORMKAT: Fælles katalogiseringspraksis for forskningsbiblioteker med onlinekataloger. 2. udg. København: Statens
Bibliotekstjeneste, 1990. (Retningslinier fra Statens
Bibliotekstjeneste; 1).
Kaae, S. (1990).
Verbal emneindexering i BASIS: En Håndbog. Ballerup:
Bibliotekscentralen.
Lancaster, F. W. et al. (1990). Identifying barriers to effective subject access in library catalogs. Library Resources and Technical Services, 34(4), 377-391.
Large, A. & Beheshti, J. (1997). OPACs: A research review.
Library & Information Science Research, 19(2), 111-133.
Larson, R. R. (1991). The decline of subject searching.
Journal of the American
Society for Information Science, 197-215.
OPACs and the User: Anglo-nordisk seminar 8-11 april 1990. (NORDINFO-publikation
19), Esbo, 1992.
Walker, S. (1989). The Okapi online catalogue research project. The online catalogue, developments and directions. London: The Library Association. (Pp. 84-106).
Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia. (2005). OPAC. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OPAC
See also: Catalog card; Enduser; Library systems; Webpac
Birger Hjørland
Last edited: 17-10-2006