Library web OPACs in Pakistan: an overview

What is it about?

Purpose – This paper aims to analyse features and functions of indigenously developed web‐based catalogues of academic, special and national libraries of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach – The assessment of 16 OPACs is based on a 91‐item checklist developed with the help of previous studies conducted in other countries. Findings – The paper finds that indigenous web OPACs are at an initial stage of development and only offer basic facilities to their users. They do not offer facilities many OPACs in advanced countries already offer. Their shortcomings include the absence of MARC format and Z39.50 protocol, which are indispensable for shared cataloguing. A very few catalogues can accommodate non‐Roman scripts like Urdu and other local languages. Originality/value – The comparison of features and functions of web OPACs can be useful to understand the level of OPAC development in Pakistan. It can also be helpful for future improvements in this regard.

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