Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2002
Abstract
Describes a study, which investigates the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC ) us~ behavior of foreign postgraduate students at the University of Malaya Library. This involves their ability to use OPAC, their knowledge about OPAC, and the reasons for the effective use of OPAC. The results indicate that most of the students from developing countries possess various levels ofOPAC use abilities. Most indicate t~a~ there are no OPAC facilities in their home countries, and if available, it is limited to university libraries. OPAC searches are mainly for title, subject, author/title keyword, and author. Title searches are the most frequently used. Students using the University of Malaya Library indicate that the OPAC is relatively eas~ to use but students are moderately successful in locating items. Students self- ~ramed themselves when using the OPAC. Most did not receive any training or learnt It from the Library and for those who attended the training programme, the majority of them noted that it has been successful. Most of the students are generally unaware of other facilities that are available in the OPAC.
Keywords
OPAC, Online public access catalogue, User study, University of Malaya Library, Postgraduate students, Foreign students, Catalogue use study
Divisions
fsktm
Publication Title
Malaysian Journal of Library & Information Science
Volume
7
Issue
1
Publisher
Department of Library & Information Science, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya