OPAC

The term "OPAC" stands for "Online Public Access Catalog" and refers to an electronic system that allows users to access a library's catalog. OPACs provide a user-friendly interface for searching and displaying library holdings, helping users find information about available books, journals, media, and other materials.

Typical software functions in the area of "OPAC":

1. Search Function: Allows users to easily search by title, author, keywords, and other bibliographic information.
2. Advanced Search: Provides detailed search options such as limiting by publication year, medium, language, or specific collections.
3. Availability Display: Shows whether a particular item is available, checked out, or reserved.
4. User Account Management: Allows users to manage their library accounts, including viewing checked-out items, renewals, and reservations.
5. Reservation and Hold: Enables users to reserve or hold items for future checkout.
6. Notifications: Automated notifications about due dates, reservation confirmations, and availability changes.
7. Catalog Enrichment: Integration of additional information such as book covers, tables of contents, and reviews.
8. User-Friendly Interface: Simple and intuitive navigation through the catalog with options for personalizing the view.
9. Mobile Compatibility: Optimization for use on mobile devices, allowing access from anywhere.
10. Integration with Other Systems: Linking with other library systems and databases for extended research and information retrieval.

Examples of "OPAC":

1. Simple Search: A user searches for "ERP" and receives a list of available titles in the library.
2. Advanced Search: A researcher searches specifically for scientific articles on "Artificial Intelligence" from the past five years.
3. Availability Display: A user sees that the desired book is currently checked out and due back in two weeks.
4. User Account Management: A user logs in to renew their checked-out books and make new reservations.
5. Reservation: A user reserves a newly released book that is currently checked out to be the next in line to borrow it.
6. Notifications: A user receives an email that a pre-ordered book is now ready for pickup.
7. Book Cover Display: The OPAC shows the cover image of the searched book along with a short summary.
8. Mobile Use: A user accesses the OPAC from their smartphone while on the go to search for and reserve a book.