On-line+Public+Access+Catalogues


 * On-line Public Access Catalogues**

On-line public access catalogues (OPAC) are library catalogues that are accessible for searching over a computer network. They are databases of organized information that can be searched by subject headings, keywords, authors’ names, or a variety and combination of elements and strategies. Students are taught these transferable skills to make them effective and efficient researchers of on-line information sources throughout the world. The school library information centre provides access to public, academic, and specialized library catalogues, while maintaining its own OPAC for immediate access to on-site resources selected to support curriculum. On-line public access catalogues are efficient means of sharing cataloguing information that is in a consistent and standardized format. Searching capabilities and information retrieval are faster and more extensive than manual catalogues.
 * Description**

The teacher-librarian/teacher:
 * Method**
 * ensures access to searching strategy instruction in order for students to develop efficient and transferable searching skills;
 * provides opportunities for students to develop their research skills by using all the capabilities of the electronic access;
 * provides opportunities for students to extend thinking by searching related terms and topics and recording their findings;
 * provides access to resources beyond the school through interlibrary loans;
 * develops appropriate assignments to ensure that students must use the wide-ranging features of the OPAC to locate relevant materials.

On-line public access catalogues:
 * Considerations**
 * operate on similar, transferable principles for searching, although the interface (appearance of screen) and method of searching may vary;
 * provide access to public, academic, and specialized libraries as well as school-based resources;
 * improve access and collection development offered through the school library;
 * allow a wide variety of searching strategies (e.g., refining searches, storing found citations, printing bibliographies);
 * should be used in conjunction with other search/find strategies such as browsing, scanning, and using indexed and reference material.


 * Examples from the Mathematics Classroom**

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 * Elementary**

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 * Secondary**