Conformity between the system and the real world

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 5 views

The Perception of Librarians on Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) at the Medan City Library and Archives Service

Introduction

In today's digital age, libraries are shifting their focus from traditional physical collections to online resources, making online public access catalog (OPAC) a crucial tool for information access. The Medan City Library and Archives Service, like many other libraries, has implemented OPAC to provide users with a convenient and efficient way to search and access library resources. However, the effectiveness of OPAC depends on the user's perception and experience. This study aims to explore the perception of librarians regarding OPAC at the Medan City Library and Archives Service, with a focus on understanding their views on various aspects of the system.

Methodology

This study employed a quantitative descriptive method, involving 700 library members as the population and 87 people as the sample, chosen using the Slovin formula. The sampling method used was accidental sampling, where individual samples were chosen by chance. The data collection process involved a survey, which was designed to gather information on the librarians' perceptions of OPAC.

Results

The results of the study showed that the perception of librarians to various aspects of OPAC was quite good. The following are the details of the perceptions obtained:

Visibility System Status: 72%
Conformity between the system and the real world: 83%
User control and freedom: 74%
Consistency and Standard: 87%
Error prevention: 57%
Introduction to withdrawals: 84%
Flexibility and efficiency of use: 66%
Aesthetic and Minimalist Design: 82%
Help to recognize, diagnose, and restore: 64%
Assistance and documentation: 49%

Overall Perception

The average perception of users of OPAC in the Medan City Library and Archives Service reached 72%, reflecting that users generally have a positive view of the performance of the system. However, there are areas that require improvement, such as error prevention and assistance and documentation.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

The results obtained highlight several important points that need to be observed. The consistency and standard level that reaches 87% shows that users feel comfortable and accustomed to the format and features provided by OPAC. This is one of the key factors in increasing the trust and use of the system by users.

However, the prevention of error which only reaches 57% is a serious concern for library managers in an effort to increase user experience. Provision of more intuitive and educational features for users on how to use OPAC correctly can help reduce errors when searching for information.

Another aspect that should be considered is the low value in assistance and documentation which only records 49%. This shows the need to make improvements in the assistance system provided to users. Development of clear and easily accessible documentation, as well as direct training for users, can help increase understanding and use of OPAC.

Conclusion

Based on this research, it can be concluded that although the perception of users of OPAC in the Medan City Library and Archives Service is classified as good, there is still room for improvement. Approaches to increasing error prevention, use of use, and documentation assistance must be the main focus of library managers. With the right steps, it is expected that OPAC is not only a tool for access to information, but also a solution to meet the needs of public information effectively.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Improve error prevention: Library managers should provide more intuitive and educational features for users on how to use OPAC correctly to reduce errors when searching for information.
Enhance assistance and documentation: Library managers should develop clear and easily accessible documentation, as well as direct training for users, to increase understanding and use of OPAC.
Continuously evaluate and improve OPAC: Library managers should continuously evaluate and improve OPAC to ensure that it meets the needs of users and provides a positive user experience.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may not be representative of the entire population of librarians. Secondly, the study only focused on the perception of librarians and did not consider the perspective of other stakeholders, such as users. Finally, the study only examined the perception of librarians regarding OPAC and did not consider other aspects of the system, such as its functionality and usability.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to address the limitations of this study. For example, a larger sample size could be used to increase the representativeness of the findings. Additionally, the perspective of other stakeholders, such as users, could be considered to provide a more comprehensive understanding of OPAC. Finally, the study could be expanded to examine other aspects of OPAC, such as its functionality and usability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the perception of librarians regarding OPAC at the Medan City Library and Archives Service. The findings highlight areas that require improvement, such as error prevention and assistance and documentation. By addressing these areas, library managers can improve the user experience and increase the effectiveness of OPAC.
Q&A: Understanding the Perception of Librarians on Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) at the Medan City Library and Archives Service

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the perception of librarians regarding online public access catalog (OPAC) at the Medan City Library and Archives Service. The study aimed to understand the librarians' views on various aspects of OPAC, including its visibility, conformity, user control, consistency, error prevention, introduction to withdrawals, flexibility, aesthetic design, help to recognize, diagnose, and restore, and assistance and documentation.

In this Q&A article, we will address some of the most frequently asked questions about the study and its findings.

Q: What was the purpose of the study?

A: The purpose of the study was to explore the perception of librarians regarding OPAC at the Medan City Library and Archives Service. We aimed to understand their views on various aspects of OPAC and identify areas that require improvement.

Q: What was the methodology used in the study?

A: The study employed a quantitative descriptive method, involving 700 library members as the population and 87 people as the sample, chosen using the Slovin formula. The sampling method used was accidental sampling, where individual samples were chosen by chance.

Q: What were the results of the study?

A: The results of the study showed that the perception of librarians to various aspects of OPAC was quite good. The following are the details of the perceptions obtained:

Visibility System Status: 72%
Conformity between the system and the real world: 83%
User control and freedom: 74%
Consistency and Standard: 87%
Error prevention: 57%
Introduction to withdrawals: 84%
Flexibility and efficiency of use: 66%
Aesthetic and Minimalist Design: 82%
Help to recognize, diagnose, and restore: 64%
Assistance and documentation: 49%

Q: What were the implications of the study?

A: The study's findings have several implications for library managers and administrators. Firstly, the study highlights the need to improve error prevention and assistance and documentation to increase user experience. Secondly, the study suggests that library managers should provide more intuitive and educational features for users on how to use OPAC correctly. Finally, the study emphasizes the importance of continuously evaluating and improving OPAC to ensure that it meets the needs of users.

Q: What are the limitations of the study?

A: The study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may not be representative of the entire population of librarians. Secondly, the study only focused on the perception of librarians and did not consider the perspective of other stakeholders, such as users. Finally, the study only examined the perception of librarians regarding OPAC and did not consider other aspects of the system, such as its functionality and usability.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should aim to address the limitations of this study. For example, a larger sample size could be used to increase the representativeness of the findings. Additionally, the perspective of other stakeholders, such as users, could be considered to provide a more comprehensive understanding of OPAC. Finally, the study could be expanded to examine other aspects of OPAC, such as its functionality and usability.

Q: What are the practical implications of the study?

A: The study's findings have several practical implications for library managers and administrators. Firstly, the study suggests that library managers should prioritize improving error prevention and assistance and documentation to increase user experience. Secondly, the study emphasizes the importance of providing more intuitive and educational features for users on how to use OPAC correctly. Finally, the study highlights the need for library managers to continuously evaluate and improve OPAC to ensure that it meets the needs of users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this Q&A article provides a comprehensive overview of the study and its findings. The study aimed to understand the perception of librarians regarding OPAC at the Medan City Library and Archives Service and identified areas that require improvement. The study's findings have several implications for library managers and administrators, and future research should aim to address the limitations of the study.