OPACs' Users' Interface - Do They Need Any Improvements?

Abstract

Current paper attempts to answer an “exotic” question of usability of OPACs'. The possibilities of implementation of a web usability research in improving efficiency of on-line catalogues interfaces is discussed. Search strategies of users have been analysed as well as a new customer-orientation paradigm, widely used in business, has been suggested in reader treating. The most common mistakes in web sites creation of on-line catalogues (those are users' interfaces) have been described. Migration to XHTML (especially with the use of CSS) has been suggested, since the standard allows for broadening of the access to web sites also for reading devices, PDAs and mobile telephony. Also some IT tools (applications) breaking information access barriers, like loud reading apps. have been introduced. Common format of media layer (e.g. XHTML + CSS) allows wide extension of OPACs, like virtual agents serving, information exchange, use of common public repositories (both of pattern records, as well as information) that could make libraries more flexible information and knowledge centres, fulfilling, on the basis of wide cooperation in information handling, the very sophisticated users' information needs.