Thank you all so much for responding to my question about OPAC!
Question
Greetings and Happy Friday!
Is OPAC a Follett term or a general term? I am asking because the VA SOLs refer to
it as an on-line library catalog. So, I will now refer to is as the on-line
library catalog instead of just "the computer". :)
Hit:
It stands for Online Public Access Catalog. It's not Follett-specific. I don't know
the origin of it.
*************************
Yesterday during a class of sophomores I was reviewing some of the
terminology...They all knew OPAC - think I have drummed into their heads...
That said, however, when I asked them about the Roaring Cat (the public
library/college and university/school combined catalog) - one student answered
"it's the great OPAC in the sky." I guess I must have referred to it before in that
manner. Before I even got there, I asked them - "what is the name of the library
catalog that includes every library in all the
counties around here?" -the response from one young man was ""the flaming peacock"
-- much better name I think!
I think Allan's story is an example of exactly WHY we must teach our students the
term OPAC. No matter what cutesy moniker the local library has decided to name
their OPAC system, our student could walk in, ask for the OPAC computer and be
pointed to the "Roaring Cat", The "Tally Cat," "PINES," "the flaming peacock" or
whatever else!
*******************
We renamed our OPAC on all the computers to Book Search.
********************
I just tell the kids - it stands for Online Public Access Catalog - and they
remember it.. Sometimes I tell them about public and college libraries with names
such as "Carl" and "Groucho." At times when being silly, we call it various names
such as "Big Bubba" or 'Betty Lou."
**********************
OPAC is an acronym for Online Public Access Catalog, and it is universal. I refer
to mine to my students as the online catalog, but I try to make sure that they hear
the term OPAC occassionaly in case it ever comes up on the SOL test.
*************************
The term OPAC has always bugged me. We need to be clear and jargon free in our
signs and the terms we use with the public. I think Library Catalog is much easier
for people to understand. I am irked that the icon for our Library Catalog (whihc
is delivered via the school network) says "HS OPAC" and the tech dept tells me they
cannot change that. Our kids have no idea what it means and are constantly coming
to me if they want to find a book in the library. There is a good side to that of
course. It means more conversations with the kids. But - when ask them if they
have checked the catlog - they tell me they couldn't find it. It's no wonder with
a name like HS OPAC. Grrrrr!!!
************************
It stands for Online Public Access Catalog. I refer to mine as a card
catalog--nothing else. If asked where it is I reply that it is found on the
computer.
*******************
It is not a Follett term, but a world wide accepted term for Online Public Access
Catalogue. As soon as computers became part of the library furniture, librarians
transfer their card catalogues to computer catalogues. For their patrons to use
the computer catalogues and distinguish it from the card catalogue, they called it
OPAC.
********************
OPAC stands for Online Public Access Catalog, a generic term for any company's
library automation module for public user access to a library's automated catalog
(not just Follett's). Sometimes referred to as an "online catalog." The term OPAC
has been in general library use for about 20 years--the predecessor was PAC, for
Public Access Catalog [could refer to a card catalog, a microform catalog, a CD-ROM
catalog, etc.).
Patricia H. Gray
pgray@fcps1.org
Librarian, Ritchie Elementary
New Baltimore, VA
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