Library OPAC Research Articles

Application of Authority Control Process in Koha Cataloguing System

This study suggests a pragmatic approach to the authority control process in library cataloguing systems in order to develop a better database that facilitates speedy information retrieval from library OPACs. The authority control method also creates a unified bibliographic database with separate access points for both library users and library professionals. To review the authority control procedure for the sake of this study, we used free and open-source library management software, namely Koha. Different methods are followed by the Koha administration and its cataloguing module. The bibliographic and authority frameworks are very helpful and conducive to all the libraries and information centers. The originality of this study has been successfully demonstrated by library cataloguers’ observations on frequent strategies for carrying out the authority control processes.

Digital Resource Platforms Available for Teaching and Research in Selected Public Universities in Kenya

Digital resource platforms have been recognized as valuable instrument for teaching, learning and research in universities. They allow for broad access, sharing and dissemination of information resulting from the advancements of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). However, users of these digital resource platforms within universities are unable to effectively access and utilize information due to the intricacies of the digital resource platforms as they encounter difficulties with navigation resulting from the mismatch between user expectations and information platforms. This may adversely affect teaching and research output which are core mandates of universities. The main purpose of the study was to examine the types of digital resource platforms available for teaching and research in the selected public universities in Kenya. This study was anchored on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model and the Theory of Information Interchange. The study was based on a pragmatic paradigm where it adopted a mixed method approach. This enabled the research to collect both quantitative and qualitative data that complemented each other in gathering accurate and reliable data. Purposive and census sampling techniques were used to draw respondents from the targeted population. The sample size was 113 respondents comprising 86 academic staff, four university librarians and 23 library staff in charge of digital content. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences was used to analyze quantitative data while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in form of tables, charts and verbatim reports. The findings showed that university libraries provide a few types of digital resource platforms which includes institutional repositories, library OPACs and library websites. Information was available in textual, audio-visual and video while the most common types of digital content were electronic journals, e-books and theses. The study recommended for increase in digital content through collaboration with consortia, signing for access rights and mandatory submission of research publications by members of staff and students to the library

The role of Tanzania library services board in enhancing information literacy skills among the public in Tanzania

This study aimed to examine the role of Tanzania Library Services Board (TLSB) in organizing, teaching and facilitating information literacy to users in the public library. Specifically the study examined the available facilities and resources available in public libraries that would facilitate the teaching of information literacy; established what users were taught during information literacy courses and identified barriers in implementing information literacy courses in public libraries. It also sought to gather views from the users on the roles of TLSB in organizing, teaching and facilitating information literacy courses in public libraries. The study was carried out in 7 regional libraries working under the administration of the National Central library in Dar es salaam. Data was collected through questionnaires, which were conveniently distributed among 58 library users who were found in the reading areas and other service points in the selected libraries. Face to face semi-structured interviews were carried out among purposely selected 11 librarians who were providing services at different points in the libraries. Results of the study indicated that TLSB was involved in organizing and teaching information literacy courses to users who visited the library either in groups or as individuals. Users were taught how to search for electronic resources, utilizing special collections, borrowing and returning library books and using the library OPAC. Challenges facing TLSB in offering information literacy courses included lack of expert trainers; limited number of facilities such as computers, some users did not want to attend training and lack of motivation among library staff to participate in teaching information literacy courses. The study recommended that TLSB should collaborate with other institutions by facilitating the teaching of information literacy courses to users in various libraries in the country.

Application and Integration of VIAF and OCLC FAST with Koha, VuFind, and Google CSE

The purpose of Digital Library system is collection of electronic objects. The “authorities” module runs the entire mechanism for fetching the authority data from the remote server. The study explores mechanisms for integration activities behind the authority control and practical evaluation. This study has been done on the publicly accessible online library OPAC through Google Form tools. It demonstrates that all authority control tools can manage several headings than just one or a few. The research seeks explanation through systematically searching observations of Online OPAC databases for studies of authority control. According to the findings, AuthorityBox is a Koha add-on that enhances the system's functionality. It complies with VIAF identifiers and other MARC21 authority data to compliance with RDA Cataloguing Guidelines. The open source integrated library system Koha enables easy authority import into the ILS-OPAC search engine. Statistically, Haringhata Mahavidyalaya, West Bengal, India used the most authority terms, with 24,820 personal names and 53,256 topical terms. This study reviews the many recommendations and techniques for designing a library discovery authority framework. It also focuses on the software and standards for integrating VIAF with Koha, VuFind, and Google Custom Search Engine for importing authority data from other libraries via the Z39.50 server.

Abstract Data Interpolation in Library OPAC: from the Perspective of Information Dissemination

OPAC libraries basically have provided complete metadata with various data fields that can be used to contain more detailed collection information. This paper will analyze the potential for additional data collections, especially collection abstractions from the point of view of information needs and information dissemination. The study used a literature review analysis by referring to several sources of information such as scientific articles from electronic journals or other online sources as well as books relevant to this study. The data was obtained by observing the OPAC of online-based libraries from several educational institutions. The results of the study showed that the metadata pattern built by the library is still limited to a brief description of the collection so that the benefits of the information are not necessarily obtained by the user. The addition of abstract data to the OPAC, from the point of view of information dissemination is very necessary because the users need more detailed information. Libraries can add abstract data by choosing one of the methods in the summary process, namely abstraction and extraction.

Use of MARC21 control field data in University Library OPACs in Karnataka: A study

This study discusses about importance of MARC21 control field and its effective implementation in university libraries OPACs in Karnataka. The catalogue records available through library web OPACs of universities under study formed the data source for this study. The university library web OPACs which we examined in this study have used Koha ILMS. One thousand and eighty-eight (1088) records were randomly selected from the nine university library web OPACs for the study. The study examined the proper implementation of 008 control field of MARC21, which is an important data element in information retrieval. The study found that average length of a cataloguing record was 1572.78 characters. The study as also revealed that libraries web OPACs under study have given scant attention for control fields, 001 and 003 were the two tag numbers that have been used extensively. Overall the university libraries have neglected control fields data element in their OPACs. This adversely affect the data retrieval from the user point of view. The study strongly recommend that libraries should fill up the data required for control fields while cataloguing their records.

Awareness and Use of e-Resources by Researchers of Select Universities in Haryana

During this COVID-19 Pandemic, the entire world knows the value of electronic resources as all the work of reading, learning, administration is done with electronic mode. This study was conducted to have a comparative study of researchers among state universities of Haryana regarding use and awareness of e-resources as to type of electronic sources used, level of satisfaction, problems faced by them and suggestions to increase the use of electronic resources. Data was collected from the researchers of selected universities using a self-designed questionnaire. It was found that all researchers are aware about e-resources and the majority of respondents are using e-resources. 43.13% researchers prefer to access the e-resources from their respective departments. Researchers from Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa have shown more satisfaction with regard to e-theses/e-dissertations, e-standards/e-patents and library OPAC as compared to researchers of Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak as well as Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra. It is found that researchers from KUK are facing more problems like poor Internet connectivity and lack of library orientation as compared to respondents from CDLU and MDU. Majority of the researchers suggested that an e-mail alert service is needed to be started for library subscr ibed e-resources.

Information retrieval and data mining through library OPAC keyword searching: An experience of recent trends and JNU, New Delhi, Library

This paper aims to explain Library Web OPAC keyword searching and data mining techniques. Data mining techniques recommend digital library services based on the user's profile and search history. This paper also discusses the web OPAC service and keyword searching technique. Moreover, the paper provides a brief description of the various search option facilities provided by the Koha Web OPAC, a service at Dr. BR Ambedkar Central Library, JNU, New Delhi and highlights the recent trend that reflects increasing use of various software applications in libraries to interact with library collections and searching the pin-pointed information.

Perception and Use of OPAC by Users in Academic Libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria

Background of the study: The study investigated the use and perception of Online Public Catalogue (OPAC) by users in academic libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria.
 Purpose: The study adopted descriptive survey research method were a total number of 203 questionnaires were distributed amongst library users in both selected academic libraries. A simple random sampling technique was used for this study.
 Method: The descriptive analysis was used to analyze the collected data using frequency counts and simple percentages.
 Findings: The study revealed that majority of the respondents is aware of the existence and availability of OPAC. Although a very small percent of respondents in Unilorin and Kwara State Polytechnic got their awareness of OPAC through the library. The study also revealed that an average percent of respondents in both institutions can make use of the library OPAC effectively. Based on user’s perception of OPAC, the findings show that majority of respondents highly acknowledge OPAC, well perceived and more preferred to card catalogue. A high percent of respondents admitted that the library OPAC enable them to locate materials quickly on the shelf. However, most of the respondents showed that they are facing some challenges which include poor network services, power failure, poor assistance from the library staff etc.
 Conclusion: The researchers recommend that the library should create more awareness and effective user education for students on the use of OPAC at various levels to ensure maximum utilization of the library resources.

Library Carpentry: Towards a New Professional Dimension (Part II – Automatic Authority Control to Enhance Retrieval)

Authority control for bibliographic data management in Indian libraries is generally a neglected area and thereby library OPACs of the country (including OPAC of the National Library) supports only the finding function of a catalogue and not the collocating function. In this context, the part II of the three part series on library carpentry (part I has been published in April issue) is an attempt to apply library carpentry methods in building authority datasets from scratch. It deals with the methodologies for developing authority datasets by applying data wrangling techniques and subsequent transformations of these datasets into ready-to-import MARC 21 format (for authority data). Like the previous part of the series, this research study is also represented through a case study. The case study narrates development of geographic name authority datasets for - states and union territories (level I), districts of India (level II), sub-districts (level III) and community development blocks of India (level IV). It also demonstrates that how the merged geographic name authority file for India can be implemented in an open source ILS and can become instrumental in enhancing retrieval efficiency through geodetic search feature in an open source library discovery system. It concludes that the proposed mechanisms and methodology (supported with proofs of the concept) may lead to a new era of authority-controlled cataloguing in Indian libraries.

Assessing the Use of Innovative Tools for Library Instruction and Services in Federal University Libraries in South-South, Nigeria

The study investigated the adoption of innovative tools for library instruction and services in Federal University libraries in South-South zone of Nigeria. The study cut across six federal university libraries in the zone with a total population of 93 academic librarians. The findings revealed that fewer numbers of the respondents have adopted and used innovative tools for library instruction and services which majority of the respondents are yet to use innovative tools for instruction and service delivery. It also showed that the frequency of use of the tools were staggered with social media and text messaging being the ones that are used daily, email was used on a weekly basis while Library Blog, website and OPAC were mostly used on quarterly basis and a general none use of radio broadcasting. The findings further indicated that inadequate use of innovative tools would affect patronage and adequate delivery of library instruction and services to the library patrons who are in different geo-political locations. The researchers recommended the need for library management in federal universities in the South-South zone of Nigeria to explore viable innovative tools for ilibrary instruction and services,
 Keywords: Innovative tools, Library instruction, Library services, Librarians, University libraries

The Archive Owners of the Montevergine State Library

The Montevergine State Library is an Italian public library depending on the Minister of Culture. It was originally an ecclesiastical library which, in the second half of the 19th century, became public following the enactment of the laws on suppression of the religious corporations. It is located inside the Loreto Abbey Palace in Mercogliano (Avellino, Italy). Nowadays the Montevergine State Library is a modern office offering all tipical public libraries services, including document reproduction, local loan and interlibrary loan. Logging in the institutional website of the Montevergine State Library, you can consult the Archive Owners in the <i>Special Catalogues</i> section. The books, especially the ancient ones, are filled with ex-libris, stamps, manuscript annotations, bindings, etc. These indications, although are signs that smear the books, nevertheless are elements that must be taken into account when cataloguing a book and describing the specimen you own. In 2013 a new version of the library's website was released and on that occasion the Archive Owners was implemented. Its original nucleus was derived from the systematic work of cataloguing the 16th century editions possessed: this work started in 2002 and ended in 2015 with the publication of the printed catalogue <i>Le cinquecentine della Biblioteca di Montevergine</i>. A large sample of possession notes are present on the 1050 editions of the sixteenth century owned by the Montevergine State Library; the right prominence was given to these notes in the Archive Owners published on the institutional website. The work is still in progress, in fact the Archive is integrated from time to time whenever there is a new note of possession on the books present in the library. In most cases it was possible to draw up a complete biographical record of the owner, also accompaned by photos, one or more.jpg files in which the various formulas used by the owner are scanned and the links to bibliographic information in the library's opac.

Assessing Patron Driven Acquisition (PDA) adoption among Malaysian academic libraries

This study aims to explore the adoption of the Patron Driven Acquisition (PDA) model among Malaysian academic libraries. The study ensues the continuous increase in the proportion and cost of information resources (electronic and print) coupled with the current dwindling budget crushing libraries worldwide. It adopts questionnaires to elicit responses from 111 purposively selected librarians, specifically from Malaysia's academic libraries' acquisition units. This study revealed that some Malaysian academic libraries practice the user-initiated collection acquisition model, with modifications from the Patron Driven Acquisition (PDA) practiced in the developed world. Malaysian academic libraries adopt the stand-alone user-initiated collection development model instead of integrating the model with either the library OPAC or publishers ‘databases as practiced by other libraries. The user-driven acquisition model is productive considering resource usage, library budget justification, and high return on investment (ROI), according to Malaysian academic libraries.

Language Analysis in Library OPAC: Designing an Open Source Software based Framework for Bibliographic Records in Mainstream and Tribal Languages

Language Analysis in Library OPAC: Designing an Open Source Software based Framework for Bibliographic Records in Mainstream and Tribal Languages

Language Analysis in Library OPAC designing an Open Source Software based Framework for Bibliographic Records in Mainstream and Tribal Languages

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; It reports the development of an enhanced library OPAC prototype through integration of language analysis tool and book reader in the retrieval interface. Language analysis or text analytics is considered as one of the components of language documentation and when integrated with library OPAC can extend supports to analyse corpus of the retrieved document in terms of word/phrase frequency, term circus, term links, term context etc through visual representation in a single-window along with the other datasets generally expected in a typical library OPAC. The open source software based integration mechanism is tested with English and Bengali as mainstream languages and a Unicode-compliant Indian official tribal language Santali (Ol Chiki script) as minority language.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Designing a Copy Cataloguing Interface using Z39.50 for Libraries

Copy cataloguing and Z39.50 are well known concepts in modern library environment for executing library functions and activities. Data import is possible from different library OPACs using the Z39.50 server. Online Computer Library Centre (OCLC) and Library of Congress (LoC) are among the most comprehensive OPAC databases. This paper attempts to design a framework for comparison of Z39.50 search available in public domain and implementation of information retrieval protocol facilities in open source ILSs. The framework is mainly based on recommendations given by ILS-DI and IFLA Working Group on the area under consideration. It considers how to import the records from the other databases or OPAC through Z39.50 server or SRU/W towards next generation automation. Two open source ILSs (from the matured block of ILSs) namely NewGenLib and Koha are compared against a set of search parameters related with Z39.50 and drawn from global recommendations.

How KOHA OPAC can be Designed and used as Library Website: A Practical Approach

This work is intended to provide HTML and CSS Codes to design the effective OPAC page to use as Library OPAC as well as Library website. The main objective of the study was to define easy to adopt steps to design OPAC. Authors have tried to demonstrate design of Library website by using KOHA OPAC page with help of HTML and CSS code (Annexure 1).

Evaluasi Kinerja Sistem Informasi Perpustakaan (SIPRUS) menggunakan Analisis PIECES Ditinjau dari Persepsi Pustakawan (Studi Kasus Perpustakaan UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta)

In 2004, the library of UIN Sunan Kalijaga used the Library Information System (SIPRUS) designed by PT. PJI. This system integrates various library sub-systems, for example, Self-service, OPAC, circulation, library processing, and digital repositories. This study discusses how to find information about the system, so an evaluation is needed that provides information about how the program works, and how to discuss problems that can interfere with the implementation of the user's viewing activities. This type of research is an evaluative descriptive study using cross-sectional, which provides an opinion about the user's assessment of the information system currently running in the library of UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Interviews, documentation, and observation are used to collect the data. Data analysis in this study uses reduction data, presentation data, and verification (concluding). Researchers used PIECES (Performance, Information, Economy, Control, Effectiveness, and Service) analysis to get more indicators. The results from this CYPRUS are very helpful in the field of material processing library and also too easy to launch the work administratively. It is probably able to run effectively and efficiently.Keyword: Library, PIECES Analysis, SIPRUS

OPAC development as the genre transition process, PART 1: OPAC generations historical development

The purpose is to present library OPAC as a communication genre in its mutability. The paper is based on the idea of OPAC development as a transition to subsequent OPAC generations. Every generation, in the light of genre theory, can be treated as a subgenre with its own communication purpose. As such, it is subject to transformations caused by information technology development. OPAC development is described as an electronic genre transition process, which allows for distinguishing eight OPAC subgenre generations. They were distinguished based on socio-historical development of the genre system and were described according to Shepherd and Watters 1 genre development model. These subgenres are then subjected to genres analysis revealing their basic characteristics (purpose, form and functionality). The paper is divided into two parts. Part 1 describes text genre theory and OPAC generations historical development as communication genre. Part 2 is dedicated to OPAC genre analysis.

OPAC development as the genre transition process, Part II: OPAC genre analysis

The purpose is to present library OPAC as a communication genre in its mutability. The paper is based on the idea of OPAC development as a transition to subsequent OPAC generations. Every generation, in the light of genre theory, can be treated as a subgenre with its own communication purpose. As such, it is subject to transformations caused by information technology development. OPAC development is described as an electronic genre transition process, which allows for distinguishing eight OPAC subgenre generations. They were distinguished based on socio-historical development of the genre system and were described according to Shepherd and Watters1 genre development model. These subgenres are then subjected to genres analysis revealing their basic characteristics (purpose, form and functionality).