OPAC Evaluation Between Drexel Libraries & LAU Libraries - Research Paper Example

OPAC Evaluation between Drexel Libraries & LAU Libraries Introduction This paper evaluates the two libraries, Drexel libraries and Lau libraries, in accordance to Online Public Access Catalogues (OPAC) evaluation strategies. According to Ruzegea (2012), OPAC is applicable to access the library compilations and resources. Several units and tools are installed for the function of search and retrieval of information and resources. The online interface for system output and user input is among the elements of information retrieval (IR) system. Various online catalogs or online IR systems have diverse user interfaces that would permit user to search information or circumvent outside and within the library collections. The diversities in online catalogs make the basis for this paper’s evaluation of Drexel and Lebanese American University (LAU) libraries websites. Drexel University Libraries is an education or learning enterprise devoted to offering access to trustworthy information despite the format. It is essential for creation of learning environments and making connections across fields to link scholars with scholarship and to create an entrepreneurial institution. The university has verse library facilities including four buildings and online service that serves million of locals and international clients. In this paper, the concentration is on the library online interface qualities. On the other hand, LAU is also an institution that provides learning opportunities for many clients. The purpose of the LAU libraries is to acquire, systematize and broadcast information materials that provide the academic program and research requirements. The mission is to cater for the intellectual and information acquaintance for the University community and international society. Apart from having specials features and collection, LAU’s libraries pride of service-oriented, highly devoted staff. This paper compares and evaluates these two libraries features in accordance to OPAC evaluation aspect. Overall Picture The overall picture is an evaluation concept presentating the outlook of the library interface. From the outlook, Drexel libraries and Lau libraries have a pleasant overall image. Drexel libraries (https://www.library.drexel.edu/) consist of harmonious colors that are user-friendly to user’s eyes. The white background with light and dark blue, grey and yellow patches make the website attractive. The text fonts are appropriate and text colors match the background thus making them readable. The entire website is proportionally organized with appropriate spacing to allow users locate resources with ease. The organized structure is a speed factor for researchers and learners. The information is well-written and organized points. In comparative perspective, LAU libraries (http://libraries.lau.edu.lb/index.php#tabs2) have used few colors mainly grey background that gives a pleasant outlook. It is user-friendly for researchers and scholar’s eyes. The text fonts and colors match the interface background and create a nice environment for researchers. The information is well organized and structured to ease navigation effort and speed IR time. The library has pictures to speak a thousand words and aesthetic value. In contrast, use of many colors may not be an attractive way to organize a website; however, Drexel selected and used them harmoniously to create effective outlook. On colors, LAU libraries used minimal and got the most effective influence. Drexel libraries do not include images or pictures thus reducing the aesthetic and effects of pictures in a website. LAU libraries use spaces better than Drexel. The overall picture of the two libraries is good with LAU having a better outlook. Database characteristics LAU has various resources from different disciplines and databases befitting all the researchers’ fields of interest. The library provides necessary contacts; identify the author of website (the website is copyrighted to LAU) and give terms and conditions for operation and usage. The website has online databases that comprise slide, videos, e-reserve, printing credits and other materials. However, the website does not present databases of various disciplines such as MedLine and others on a direct link. On the other hand, Drexel has well elaborated databases concerning various fields at a direct click. In addition, the website identify the authors name, contact details, titles, relevant information and login prompt to allow users access various databases. On database characteristics, Drexel has more elaborate and user friendly interface that facilitate easy access of various databases compared to LAU libraries. Operational control According to LAU, policy use of many resources is controlled by license contracts, which restrict use to the LAU population (authorized users through login details). It is the duty of each client to make sure that he or she utilizes these resources only for individual. The resources are for noncommercial use without downloading, copying or supplying of information, and not removing or changing copyright notices. Acceptable policy forbids downloading resources of entire article of a given journal topic. The policy regulates and prohibits tampering with any application or code applicable to display and execute the resources. The rules stipulate that misuse of these resources infringe the terms of LAU’s license agreements and can lead to termination. Likewise, Drexel libraries have authentication features that control operation. For clients to access various databases they must have login details. Drexel has “My Library” account that allows authorized users to access authorized materials and download or email as according to policy stipulation. Login details features can enable the administrators of to place holds or reserves, control viewing of items on loan to a user and restrict downloading and e-mailing resources unless authorized. Searching Facilities Offered Drexel libraries search options comprise search terms for summon, author, topic, call number, ISBN and journal topic .The search for articles in databases from A to Z, the click on other databases such as AccessMedicine, MedLine, CINAHL, Clinical Key, psycINFO and others. The use of direct link through a click to these databases eases the process of search. The linkage for new arrivals, opening hours under events along with instructor and course search are searching facilities applicable. The website is organized according to the title of pertinent academic disciplines so both faculty and learners able to find databases necessary for research. There is an indication of high level of professionalism and high quality levels done by the library. LAU libraries search options include keyword search, author, topic, call number, ISBN and journal topic. In addition, the website has links to library catalog, find it, online databases, e-books, trial databases, new acquisitions, research guides, LAU repository and useful websites as search facilities. Both the libraries have searching facilities that are user friendly and allow user to access the materials and resources. However, Drexel search facilities are more user friendly due to their direct access. Boolean operations Both websites allow users to attain resources of publishers, libraries, and online vendors. The libraries have proximity and adjacency operators that to broaden and narrow the search capabilities. The word limitations are applicable to increase the accuracy and preciseness of system output from user input. Limiting search by date is evident and it increases the accuracy of information. The libraries databases are arranged by date and to reduce search time it is necessary to indicate period. Both libraries have hypertext links connecting to outside sources of related information. Subject search aids Both web sites offer browsing the collection within and outside the university. Drexel libraries provide link to other databases (AccessMedicine, MedLine, CINAHL, Clinical Key, psycINFO) that is essential for subject a search aid. LAU libraries offer my count service where users can get information at all times and with full access. In addition, the library has link to other databases such as online databases, e-books, trial databases, new acquisitions, research guides, LAU repository and useful websites to assist in subject search aid. Subject search aids limit time spend on searching information and boost accurate search results. Cross-references are addition links the libraries provide to assist researchers to acquire other relevant information. Screen display options Drexel libraries screen display has both the choice of brief and full record display following login authentication. The brief view is to users with limited authentication and the full text is applicable to users with full access authority (My Library Account holders). Likewise, LAU libraries have login options that allow full text display and brief display for users with limited access. Both libraries have option of circulation status displayed with copy number and call number. Output control options Both libraries have online interface for user input and system output as information retrieval (IR) system. The display has option of sequence numbered chronologically such as 1, 2, 3 and so on. For database case the output, control options ranges from A-Z Index. They have the option of sort by author, title or relevance subjects. User assistance functions Both Drexel and LAU libraries have online databases, e-books, trial databases, new acquisitions, research guides and useful websites that assist user functions. The websites have error messages that alert users that they have input many numbers of words more than stipulated character limits or spelling problem. The spelling check software is available to assist user input correct search strings. Presence of user assistance functions makes the search process in respective library more user-friendly. Conclusion OPAC evaluation process has been effective in assessing Drexel and LAU libraries features. The overall picture of both libraries is appealing and formal. However, LAU had extra facilities like pictures that boosted the libraries outlook. The libraries have database characteristics that boost the capacity of search from within and outside sources. The libraries have control measures that facilitate user input, system output, resources usage and authentication process. References Drexel University Libraries. (n.d). Drexel Libraries . Follow Drexel University Libraries. Retrieved April 8, 2015, from https://www.library.drexel.edu/ LAU (2015). LAU Libraries. Official Lebanese American University website. Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://libraries.lau.edu.lb/index.php#tabs2 Ruzegea, M. (2012).The Usability of OPAC Interface Features: The Perspective of Postgraduate Students at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Library Philosophy and Practice. Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~mbolin/ruzegea.htm Read More