Time for new OPAC initiatives: an overview of landmarks in the literature and introduction to WordFocus

Abstract

Computer technology continues to evolve and improve at an astonishing rate; and the cost for most computer equipment will continue to decline over time. Now library automation software, especially software for the online public access catalog, needs to be evolving and improving. It is time for librarians individually and collectively to indicate what improvements they want to see in the “expanding OPAC”. As libraries and vendors begin to work on tomorrow’s systems, we must not lose sight of a basic element of human nature. Zipf’s “Principle of Least Effort” states that “Each individual will adopt a course of action that will involve the expenditure of the probable least average (least effort) of his work.” The time for action is now! It is time to move beyond “the same old systems” into a new era that incorporates impovements of a library’s existing databases, embraces the research results of the information‐seeking process, and makes fundamental improvements by adding new databases. Users need and deserve innovative online search systems! These new systems will, hopefully, convert the frustrated user of today’s OPAC into the eager user of tomorrow’s local library system.