OPAC Evaluation Between University of Arizona & University of BALAMAN - Research Paper Example

OPAC Evaluation between of Arizona & of BALAMAN Insert Insert Introduction OPAC points to an online public access catalog. It is a database that available online to enable users quickly to trace the location of books, journals and articles they are searching online. Such information that has been correctly set according to categories mostly defining the subject of study are a common characteristics of libraries. Generally, it makes the search process faster and easier. Such examples are The University of Arizona OPAC (http://www.library.arizona.edu/) and the University of BALAMAND OPAC (http://libraries.lau.edu.lb/index.php). The paper seeks to review the two libraries critically analyzing their features. These features include the general representation of these libraries their database characteristics, how operations occur and managed. Moreover, it also looks at the means that these libraries provide to search for information. Other vital features include operations on Boolean, aids for searching under the subjects, options for displaying on the screen and means to display output. In addition, functionalities that will offer end user support are notably inevitable. Overall Picture The University of Arizona has an unusual layout of the home page clearly showing the menus just below the header page. The integration of sky blue, brown, white and deep blue colors brings out an excellent look ( Lebanese American University, 1997-2015). The selection of the font schemes has differentiated the headings, subheadings, and the body thus making the information easier to read. The spacing is ok. Further, the images in place are informative and not just thrown anyhow. On the other hand, the page on Lebanese American University is simple with links to services easily accessible from the home page. The color contrast of green for the heading and a variation of brown for the body is excellent. The slight color red strip in use under the title LAU Libraries is lovely. The change of the menu coloring clearly distinguishes what is in the selection and what is not. Arizona did not have that, however, it uses color shading to identify what has been highlighted and what is not. The photos in use are standard in the way they convey meaning, for example, the one on how to locate the books. The spacing is alright with the distinction of sections. However, despite the difference between the headings and bodies subheadings, it should have been more distinct. The preceding has been brought out more clearly on the Arizona website. What is common to the two sites is the simplicity in their pages with outright links to various sections of the pages. Database Characteristics The database features of the two sites have similarities and differences. First, LAU displays the results in a new tab while Arizona shows the contents of the same page. The similar things include the availability of headings, the name of the authors and the publication. To add on those, Arizona lists the location of the book and the type format that is available i.e. eBook. It also underlines the heading that appears before anything else in a different font color to that of the body containing the description. LAU clearly shows whether the book is available either as a full text online, just a reference and the type, for instance, journal article. Arizona is generous enough to display the call number like R859.7.A78 C66 2013 and the location of the book besides the glimpse of the content that is readily available. On LAU, this is not available. Instead, you are required to login so as to have such a view. Arizona provides a lot of management tools for its site. First, the user can add the search results to their list, to other records already secured and to alternate between regular display and Marc display. Further, you can easily return to the browsing section or modify the search. The site does not show an option to send the information to an email as a link but allows the user to copy and paste under a new composition in a new mail. LAU, on the other hand, clearly gives a brief of the text from its author, publication, the number of pages, volume, language, the topic, edition and the copyright. In line with this, the user can read the text online; they can email the summary or have the flexibility of citing the content in the display. Searching facilities Arizona has three types of searches namely keyword search that shows five common search fields. They include the author, title, subject, journal title and medical subject. The other search is search history that shows keywords used in previous searches and also allows you to clear the search thus able to end the session (The University of Arizona Libraries, 2015). The final one is the other searches. The latter has fifteen search fields including other searches, advanced keyword, basic keyword, title and the author plus the title. Further, there is the journal title, subject, and medical subject, ISBN/SSN, Dewey Decimal, LC Call Number and Gov Docs Call Number. Additional call numbers are NLM and other. In addition, there is the instructor and the course. LAU, on the other hand, has two ways of searching. First, are the necessary that uses keywords though not listed and the advanced search. The advanced search combines fields, the range of publication data, the type of content and the language. It also includes exclude results and an option to expand the search further. Boolean operations On Arizona, it is possible to sort by the date and title of the results. Therefore, the search for the available items can have a limit. LAU also allows this limitation but then gives a range of dates from which the user can select. Arizona allows the user to link to the text that is related to what the user is looking at even in other sites. The case is not clear in LAU. Arizona also provides an option to save results. LAU does so, but you have to own an account called flow so as to store items permanently. It also allows the user to take charge of references and documents. Users can also collaborate with other researchers. Subject search aids Both sites have support for searching in the online dictionary. Arizona has a distinct option for users to browse by the name, by the subject and featured databases that include. Academic search complete, the web of Science and Google Scholar. LAU has a catalog as well as Google Scholar search. Further, Arizona has cross-reference capability where related information and sites are containing this information in the display. Screen Display Options LAU displays a summary of the search in brief and will only allow you to view fully text after a successful login to the site or through remote login in their portal. Arizona uses call numbers to locate the resource in the library by pointing the location and floor of the area. LAU does not show this. Output control options Arizona provides an opportunity to use over five fields like the author, title, subject, journal title and medical subject to refine searches on a number of aspects. It also lists the keys from a-z that users can browse by those names. Further, there is a history search that retrieves search records of various keywords. Users can also view the search results under the general collections or specify the group order like law library. LAU also has the option to display content according to the type and the discipline. Innate is sorting ability according to the alphabets a-z. Moreover, you can also sort according to its relevance and results that are beyond your library’s collection can also be inclusive if chosen. User assistance functions LAU has software to check the spelling of your search terms and give a suggestion. Arizona, however, does not have. On a similar search, LAU will give an idea but Arizona will only state that there are no entries to display. Arizona has a list of frequently asked questions in the past to help new users understand how to handle a few technicalities in the system. It also has a submenu under the menu HELP that manages how the user finds something like ebooks or reviews. LAU has a distinct Help facility handling ask me, frequently asked questions and how to evaluate information that is available on the cyberspace. It also provides how to use forms and superior guidelines that come in the form of videos, handouts, slides and how-tos. Additional help can be found by reaching the librarian through physical appearance from eight to midnight, doing a mail or calling them. Arizona handles do not show the error messages instead it only alerts the user that there were no returns. LAU does control and gives suggestions that will help the user refine the search. Conclusion The two sites have a good representation of simplicity that enhances user use. The choice of colors and photos is proper and considerable at each stage conveying a message to the user. They provide various ways of searching for content and many ways to display the information. However, there are differences in the technicalities employed to represent this information. They both have incorporated various ways users can get assistance even options of calling and emailing is available. References Lebanese American University. (1997-2015). LAU Libraries. Retrieved April 10, 2015, from LAU: http://libraries.lau.edu.lb/index.php The University of Arizona Libraries. (2015, March 16). University libraries. Retrieved April 10, 2015, from The University of Arizona: http://www.library.arizona.edu/ Read More