Medan Area University Library

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 145 views

Introduction

The Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) is a crucial system for any library, serving as a performance indicator of the library's effectiveness. It enables users to quickly and efficiently find the information they need. However, in practice, the OPAC system often faces problems, such as technical issues and errors in data collection. This has encouraged researchers to investigate the effectiveness of OPAC use in the Medan Area University Library, particularly at Campus 1 Medan.

Background of the Study

The Medan Area University Library is a vital resource for students, providing access to a vast collection of information. However, the library's OPAC system has not been utilized to its full potential. This study aims to investigate the factors that hinder the effective use of OPAC and identify potential solutions to improve its utilization.

Methodology

This study employed a descriptive method, where researchers distributed questionnaires to students who use the library facilities at the Medan Area University. The data collected was then analyzed to identify the factors that affect the use of OPAC.

Results

The results of the study revealed that the use of OPAC in the Medan Area University Library was not fully optimal. Users did not utilize the system effectively and efficiently, which can reduce the potential of the library service. The study identified two main obstacles that hinder the use of OPAC: external and internal constraints.

External Constraints

External constraints include problems such as frequent power cuts and limited number of computers available for users. This has caused students to have difficulty accessing the information they need, especially at crowded times.

Internal Constraints

Internal obstacles are related to difficulties in finding information through OPAC itself. Many users report that they find too many irrelevant search results, and this often happens when they don't use the right keywords. Thus, users need to have a better understanding of how to use OPAC in order to maximize the use of available information.

Discussion

The results of the study highlight the need for the Medan Area University Library to improve the use of OPAC. The library can conduct training on the use of OPAC for students and staff, including effective ways of searching, selection of appropriate keywords, and understanding of existing OPAC features. In addition, the library also needs to consider increasing infrastructure, such as increasing the number of computers and ensuring the availability of stable electricity resources.

Conclusion

The optimal use of OPAC is crucial for the Medan Area University Library to provide effective and efficient service to its users. By addressing the external and internal constraints, the library can improve the use of OPAC and make it a more relevant and up-to-date information center. This will not only improve user experience but also support the teaching and learning process at the university.

Recommendations

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

The Medan Area University Library should conduct training on the use of OPAC for students and staff.
The library should increase the number of computers available for users.
The library should ensure the availability of stable electricity resources.
The library should improve the search functionality of OPAC to reduce irrelevant search results.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study only focused on the Medan Area University Library and did not consider other libraries in the area.
The study only collected data from students and did not consider the perspectives of other stakeholders, such as faculty members and staff.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Investigate the effectiveness of OPAC use in other libraries in the area.
Examine the perspectives of other stakeholders, such as faculty members and staff, on the use of OPAC.
Develop a more comprehensive training program for the use of OPAC.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the need for the Medan Area University Library to improve the use of OPAC. By addressing the external and internal constraints, the library can improve the use of OPAC and make it a more relevant and up-to-date information center. This will not only improve user experience but also support the teaching and learning process at the university.

Q: What is Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)?

A: OPAC is a crucial system for any library, serving as a performance indicator of the library's effectiveness. It enables users to quickly and efficiently find the information they need.

Q: What are the benefits of using OPAC?

A: The benefits of using OPAC include:

Easy access to a vast collection of information
Quick and efficient search functionality
Ability to locate and retrieve books, journals, and other materials
Improved user experience

Q: What are the common problems faced by OPAC users?

A: Common problems faced by OPAC users include:

Technical issues and errors in data collection
Difficulty in finding relevant search results
Limited number of computers available for users
Frequent power cuts

Q: How can the Medan Area University Library improve the use of OPAC?

A: The Medan Area University Library can improve the use of OPAC by:

Conducting training on the use of OPAC for students and staff
Increasing the number of computers available for users
Ensuring the availability of stable electricity resources
Improving the search functionality of OPAC to reduce irrelevant search results

Q: What is the role of the library in supporting the teaching and learning process at the university?

A: The library plays a crucial role in supporting the teaching and learning process at the university by:

Providing access to a vast collection of information
Enabling students to locate and retrieve relevant materials
Improving user experience and satisfaction
Supporting the academic success of students

Q: How can students and staff use OPAC effectively?

A: Students and staff can use OPAC effectively by:

Conducting thorough searches using relevant keywords
Using the advanced search features of OPAC
Taking advantage of training and support services offered by the library
Providing feedback to the library on the effectiveness of OPAC

Q: What are the future research directions for OPAC use in the Medan Area University Library?

A: Future research directions for OPAC use in the Medan Area University Library include:

Investigating the effectiveness of OPAC use in other libraries in the area
Examining the perspectives of other stakeholders, such as faculty members and staff, on the use of OPAC
Developing a more comprehensive training program for the use of OPAC

Q: How can the Medan Area University Library stay up-to-date with the latest developments in OPAC technology?

A: The Medan Area University Library can stay up-to-date with the latest developments in OPAC technology by:

Attending conferences and workshops on OPAC technology
Participating in online forums and discussion groups on OPAC technology
Collaborating with other libraries and institutions on OPAC-related projects
Conducting regular reviews and assessments of OPAC technology.