Content analysis and comparative evaluation of six tertiary institute OPACs

Abstract

This research project is a study of six tertiary library systems and involves an analysis of these systems according to twenty criteria, to give an indication of the functionality of current library systems in New Zealand. Five systems are studied in the New Zealand tertiary institution environment, and include a representation of polytechnic, university and technical institute systems. An international tertiary system is also studied to enable some comparisons between the more up-to-date, currently available system (the international one) and those presently available in New Zealand which are two-three years behind their international counterparts. The twenty functional criteria plus three extra criteria are drawn from the literature on this topic and specifically include the lack of performance ability of library systems, the problems relating to using/accessing the system, and evaluations of library systems. The results are analysed and summarised in table form, and conclusions and future research are presented.