[LM_NET] GEN: OPACs

[Michelle Ohnstad <michelle.ohnstad@GMAIL.COM>]

I've been browsing various blogs and speaking with my co-workers who
attended AASL recently.  A big topic seems to be the failure of many OPACs
to deliver things that patrons really need.  I'm interested in hearing what
you all think about it, from a school perspective.  I'm starting to look at
changing our system next year and would really like to find a product that
has some features like spell-checking, "more like this" results, relevance
ranking, staff picks, etc.  I'm interested in the ability of students to add
tags to records (outside of MARC and monitored, of course) and perhaps
reviews.  I don't want to "amazon" my OPAC, but I think kids simply stay
away from using it because it's not intuitive. I'd like to explore ways that
it could be more "inviting" to use.

It's looking like TLC Delivers has such a product with their Aquabrowser.
I've searched the archives and found one or two people asking about TLC, but
no responses, really.  The Phoenix Public Library uses it and has a pretty
impressive catalog (too overwhelming for what I want, but the features are
pretty cool).  Follett may have a few things like this later in 2008 with
their next Destiny version (according to the rep I emailed).

Any thoughts or ideas?  Maybe this can be an on-list discussion for all, or
I can post it as a hit.  The Phoenix Library is at http://www.phxlib.org


Michelle

-- 
Michelle S. Ohnstad, MLIS
michelle.ohnstad@gmail.com

Library Media Specialist (1/2 time)
7th Grade Service Learning Coordinator
Pacific Ridge School
Carlsbad, CA
Web:  http://www.pacificridge.org

Head Librarian (1/2 time)
La Jolla Country Day School
La Jolla, CA
Web: http://www.ljcds.org

Wiki: http://www.independentschoollibraries.wikispaces.com
Blog: http://indy-school-librarian.blogspot.com/
SLA-SD Chapter Bulletin and Blog Co-Editor
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