Online Public Access Catalogs: Remote Access and the Invisible User

Looks at the needs to begin planning for remote access to online public access catalogs (OPACs), and to consider the special needs of the remote user – beginning at the institutional level – for example, how well does the campus network match up to the ideal service level of easy access for every faculty member and student? Considers other possibilities, such as dial access, dedicated workstations or local area networks. Makes the point that the existence of the service must be advertised, potential users of remote services are unlikely to be aware of its existence if it has not been advertised outside of the library itself. Document delivery is another important issue that needs to be addressed if the remote user is to receive satisfactory service levels.