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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 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------