The purpose of this manual is to provide a comprehensive source of reference information about implementing and running OPAC, primarily for System Managers/OPAC Administrators.
The aim has been to provide information sufficient for successful configuration of OPAC to meet local requirements. This information was previously dispersed across numerous documents (primarily the Implementation Guides, Release Notices and various chapters in System Manager Manual, Volume 2: Application Maintenance).
Note: The purpose of this manual is not to supply comprehensive instructions on how to use the OPAC from an end-user's perspective. Detailed guidance on navigation and searching are provided in context-sensitive online help throughout the product.
A user choosing the "OPAC" option from the Main Action Bar in Talis will see the Public view of OPAC, whereas a Staff user performing a "local" or expert search from Cataloguing, Acquisitions or Circulation will see the "Staff" view of OPAC. (All users of TalisWeb OPAC see the public view).
The main differences are:
|
NAME |
OPAC_DISPLAY |
|
Received |
On order |
Staff should therefore be aware that they have greater flexibility in performing "staff" searches than "public" searches.
The aim here is to create a simple "road map" to the full range of functionality available, and to set the context for OPAC-related System Management topics. Later chapters will provide more detailed instructions on the set-up and configuration options which are available for each of the areas introduced here.
The Welcome Screen is normally the first screen displayed to the OPAC user. The wording in the main information box can be tailored to meet each Library's requirements. Libraries using multiple catalogues will require a separate introductory screen for each Catalogue.
Figure 1.1: OPAC Welcome Screen
The top level Action Bar acts as the main menu for obtaining access to all of the options available within OPAC.
The main menu options are:
The user will be presented with either a pull-down menu or a further screen appropriate to the option chosen.
The Talis OPAC Reference Manual is organised into four sections; Searching OPAC, OPAC General Conventions, Other OPAC Options and OPAC System Management. These reflect the chapters within these sections;
This section contains two chapters; Search Types and Search Techniques and explains the whole process of a search within Opac.
Search Types explores the types of search options available from the Search Menu. It covers searching by Author, Title, Keyword (including Boolean operators and truncation), Author and Title, Author and Keyword, Subject Heading, Classmark, Control Number and the three types of Reading List searches (Course, Title or Owner).
Search Techniques explains various techniques for users to improve their search strategies and refine their search results:
This section contains two chapters; OPAC Navigation and the Common Function Keys available. This section explains the general conventions of OPAC Searching i.e. what is expected upon commencement of a search, the navigational screens and the options available from those screens.
OPAC Navigation summarises the main navigation paths and OPAC screens which may be encountered after initiating a search. This chapter uncovers the anatomy and use of Indexes, References Lists, the Series List, the Volumes List, the Serial Holdings List, the Serial Volumes List, the Locations List, the Location Details Form and the Title Details screen.
Common Function Keys introduces the role and use of the main function key options available throughout Talis OPAC (i.e. <F1> ("Help") through to <F12> ("Back"). This chapter also covers the definition and editing of function keys to operate with ASCII text terminals without function keys or with terminals with function keys which send unrecognised codes.
This section contains two chapters; Borrower Services and Collection Management. This section reflects the other two options available at the Top Level Action Bar (Refer to Top Level Action Bar): namely "Borrower Services" and "Other Catalogues".
Borrower Services covers the options for users to view their current loans, reservations and charges. Users can renew their loans and cancel any reservations (if the Library chooses to enable this functionality). The procedures required in order to make Public Reservations and Public Renewals available as an option to OPAC users are also discussed.
Collection Management explains the procedures to be followed in the design and implementation of multiple user-defined catalogues (also termed "collections").
This section contains seven chapters; OPAC Rules, Access Points Rules, OPAC Access Points, Environment Variables, System Parameters, Setting Up an OPAC User and Opac Exit. The aim of this section is to provide information in order that configuration of OPAC is achievable. Section Four brings together information from Implementation Guides, Release Notices and various chapters from System Manager Manual, Volume 2: Application Maintenance in order to aid implementation of the OPAC Module.
OPAC Rules covers the rules and parameters relating to the OPAC module.
Access Points Rules covers the Access Points Rules relating to the operation of access points when building or updating indexes in the OPAC module.
OPAC Access Points explains how OPAC indexes may be either regenerated entirely using a routine called "auto_access_points", or updated to reflect the changes to records during the current day using a routine called "update_daily_access_points".
Environment Variables shows how environment variables may be setup "permanently" in the "talis" script and/or in an individual's .profile or for a "single" session by entering them on the command line. A list of OPAC-related environment variables is provided, explaining use of the variables specifically designed for use with OPAC. Output-related environment variables are also summarised.
System Parameters shows the correct system parameters for successful running of Opac.
Setting Up an OPAC User explains how to set up an account for a new user in Unix. It also covers how to set up public terminals to exit on timeout and how to allow staff to exit from OPAC themselves. The chapter refers to related documents and the relevant chapters/sections found elsewhere in this manual
Besides the main chapters, this manual has a comprehensive Index.
If you are new to Talis, you should consult the "Overview of Talis Conventions" document. This document (found at the back of each Reference Manual) provides a basic introduction to the user interface and introduces fundamental concepts and skills required to use the system effectively.
OPAC operates similarly, although with some significant differences. For example, the <Enter> key is used instead of <F9> ("Accept") to initiate a search or any other user request. Sections One & Two in this manual elaborate on further unique OPAC user-conventions.
In this reference manual, the actions which you are shown how to perform are presented in several ways.
When an action requires only one step, a solid block is used to highlight the unnumbered step.
Example:
Many multiple step procedures are presented as numbered steps. Perform each step in the order shown.
Example:
When you must enter certain data exactly as given, what you are required to type will be shown in boldface type.
Example:
Where a space character is specifically required, this will be shown using a delta character.
Sometimes, the Reference manual will refer to the text of messages appearing on the message line or in message windows. The convention for presenting onscreen messages is to use the following ("Courier") typeface:
Example:
Select a line and press <Enter> to see details
Certain keys are used to perform specific functions within Talis. Refer to the "Overview of Talis Conventions" document for more details. In all Talis reference manuals angle brackets ("<" and ">") are used to identify each standard key name.
Example:
The above example means that the <Enter> key should be pressed to proceed as directed.
Where two or more keys should be pressed together, this will be shown by separating each keypress instruction with a "+" symbol.
Example:
Talis has been designed to work with a variety of terminals, each with different keyboards. Conversely, Talis documentation uses a standard list of key naming conventions.
To translate the standard key names used in the Reference Manuals into the key labels actually present on your keyboards, refer to the keyboard illustrations at the end of this chapter.
Each illustration "maps" standard key names to nonstandard keyboard layout(s) and keytop labels, for the terminal type(s) present in your library.
Notes, cautions and warnings are provided at strategic positions throughout the manual to bring important information to the reader's attention. Different headings are used to differentiate information of varying levels of importance. The following conventions are listed in the order of their increasing urgency:
Note: "Notes" are used to present helpful hints or related information considered likely to be of help to users.
Caution: "Caution notes" are used to caution readers that unexpected or unwanted consequences could follow a certain action.
Warning: "Warning notes" are used to warn readers that performing a certain action will result in serious or problematic consequences.
Cross references to related information or illustrations found in Talis user documentation are shown in italics.
Important terms, salient concepts and other points of special interest are highlighted in bold text for easy recognition.
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