What’s an OPAC and How Do I Use It?

When you want to find a specific book in the

Library Media Center, OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog)

is here to help.

You know what a computer is. Well……the OPAC computer is just for helping you

find a book even if you don’t know the name of it.

When you first look at the OPAC computer screen, it will look like this,

You will use the buttons Keyword, Author, Title, or Subjectto begin your search. In this example, the student was looking for a book on the subject of Lincoln, so he typed“Lincoln” in the long box and clicked on the Subject button.

On this screen, you can see the Title of the book, the Author, the Call Number (the numbers that help us locate the book on the shelf), and the Status (if the book is checked out or not).

The OPAC search returned with the resources thelibrary had on the subject of Lincoln. These could be books, videos, reference or anyother kinds of materials. It will show this informationunder the “Call Number” heading.

F=FictionRef=Reference bookCD-ROMVID=Video

If you want to search by author, you would type inthe author’s last name, a comma, and his or her firstname. When the author button is clicked, the OPAC will show a list of all the books in the library by that author. You can scroll down and highlight the book you want.

If you wish to look for a specific subject, such asspiders, type the word “spider” in the long box abovethe main buttons. Click on the keyword button and next you will see a screen showing all the books inthe library on that subject.

When you find the book you want, you can doubleclick on it. Then you will see a screen that describesthat book in detail.

When you have made your selections, you can storethem in the “Bookbag”. That is a button on the right side of the computer screen.

You may then either print the information or write it down so that you can locate the book in the library.

I hope you understand how to use the OPACnow. It’s a card catalog of the “old days” inside a computer.

Let’s answer some review questions for practice.

1. Bill Wallace is your favorite author. You want tofind all the books in the library by this author. What should you do?

A. Type in the name of your favorite Wallace book and hope the other books show up there, too.B. Type in Wallace, Bill and click on the authorbutton.C. Type in Wallace, Bill and click on the title button.

The answer is:

B. Type in Wallace, Bill and click on the authorbutton.

2. You want to learn all you can about horses. How could the OPAC help you?

A. You could type in the word “horses” and click the keyword button.B. You could type in the word “horses” and click theauthor button.C. The OPAC cannot help you. Go find the librarian.

If you answered:

A. You could type in the word “horses” and click on the keyword button.

You are absolutely, positively correct!

3. You are looking for information on Martin LutherKing, Jr. What would be the best way to search forit?

A. Start looking through the book shelves where youknow the biographies are shelved.B. Go to the OPAC and type in Martin Luther King, Jr.C. On the OPAC type in King, Martin Luther and click on the subject button.

Did you choose:

C. On the OPAC type in King, Martin Lutherand click on the subject button.

I hope you did.

4. If you find several books that you want to check out, what should you do?

A. Get and pencil and paper from the teacher andstart writing them.B. The computer will store them automatically foryou.C. Click the Bookbag button after each book you select. When you have finished your search, you canprint your list.

The right answer is to:

C. Click the Bookbag button after each book you select. When you have finished your search, you can print your list.

Those are the basics of what you need to know tosearch for books and information on the Online Public Access Catalog computer.

It’s so easy, everyone’s doing it.

Works Cited

"OPAC Lesson 1." Http://www.cbcsd.org/schools/W-G/opac1.html. 07 Feb. 09.

"Searching the LMC Shelves Using Follett's OPAC." 06 Feb. 09

<http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/office/LMSGuidetoLibraryLand/htmldocument/OPAC

%20Follett%20student%Tutorial.ppt

"Technology Connected Lesson Plan."

Http://www.winnpsb.org/TeachersWeb/rgarner/technology_connected_lesson_plan.htm.

06 Feb. 09.

Zachary, Teresa. "Instructions for Using the OPAC." Personal interview. 29 Jan. 09.