Opaque or transparent OPACs for the users

The conversion of the manual catalog into an OPAC brings out the location problems met by the users ; these difficulties are enhanced by the data processing which imposes a path step by step and requires a minimum control and memorizing of the system. The set of unsuccessful retrievals made by the readers of the municipal library of Valence shows the various origins of the errors : spelling, difficult dialogues, grammatical or semantic errors in formulating the request. The main problem originates in the architecture of the files that allow a traditional access (author, title, subject) as well as by keyword just like databanks ; as the public does not master those procedures enough, it produces either noise or silence. The inquiry by subject, mostly used, is not satisfactory. The author insists on necessary studies in order to understand the use of OPACs.
Read