1. OPAC Introduction Meghan Miller

2. Objectives Students will be able to define what an OPAC is and its capabilities Students will be able to navigate through an OPAC Students will be able to understand the basic concepts of an OPAC 3. What is an OPAC? Online Public Access Catalog Provides access and location to Library Catalog Items: Book Academic Journals Movies CDs Electronic Resources E-Books 4. History of OPAC Developed to replace card catalogs 1960s: First OPAC 1975: Large OPACs developed at Ohio State University and the Dallas Public Library 1980: Improved search mechanisms, keyword searching developed, and checking material in and out became available 1990: Online catalogs Today: More sophisticated search technologies, ranking, reviews, and suggestions 5. Where do you find an OPAC? Library Homepages Typically Provide a link to the OPAC University of Michigan Library Link: www.lib.umich.edu 6. Mirlyn Catalog 7. Finding Material - Browsing Browsing: Allows for the users to search through list of materials. Listed alphabetically by subjects, titles, authors, etc. Some public library OPACs connect to popular material lists: New York Times Best Sellers 8. Finding Material - Searching Searching: Allows for the users to enter in keywords or phrases to find materials. Basic Searching Advance Searching 9. Search Results 10. Search Result Details Material Information Material Information: Title, Author, Type, Year of Publication Location: The Library it is located at Status: Checked in/out 11. Selection Details 12. Other Resources Connection to Databases Online Academic Journals Other Journals Connect to other Library Catalogs Interlibrary Loans Links to Other Resources Search Tools Ask a Librarian 13. OPAC Overview OPAC is an Online Public Access Catalog OPACs are designed to access library materials OPACs provide detailed information on materials and where they are located within the library system OPACs provide links to other resources such as databases and other library listings. 14. Assessment After completing this tutorial please complete the short quiz provided on blackboard titled: OPAC Introduction Assessment