Seattle Public Library

The OPAC for the Seattle Public Library in Washington state is extremely impressive when compared to many of the other OPACs I have seen. To start with the website of the library is divided into several categories. For children, teens, adults, and several different languages. Once a language is clicked on the link will take a user to a web site translated into that language. Each of these categories has it's own databases and web resources that are targeted toward that user community. Children can access databases that will help them with their homework, to filtered search engines, and to sites they might be interested in for fun. The can receive help on homework from librarians and see a calendar of local events that are aimed toward children. This type of targeted material that is aimed toward a specific audience is repeated for teens, adults, and ESL users.
The Library Catalog is also very user friendly. Users not only have the option of coming intot eh library and checking out books but they may download certain ebooks and newspapers; they can even download audio books to their phone, if they so desire. From the home page the user only views a box offering them the option of typing in a keyword search. If this is too broad for the user there is a link avaiable beneath the box to allow the user to use more advanced search options. Once within the catalog itself the user can choose to search by keyword, numeric (barcode, ISBN, etc.), advanced (publication date, language, type of material, etc.), Begins with..., or recent searches. The advanced search option even allows the user to search the University of Washington catalog. The variety of options available allows all different types of users to easily find the information they are seeking. For instance, someone who is good with numbers may find it easier to search for an item numerically, while someone who needs a large print book or a book printed in a foreign language may find it easier to use the advanced search option. The list created can even be sorted according to several options (publishing date, arrival date, title, author, etc.) or limited according to type of item or location in order to further organize the information and simply the searching process for the reader.
Once the user has found the specific book and clicked on the link to that book. The user can search the catalog or the web using similiar search terms, they can read reviews on the book from amazon or even LibraryThing, they can bookmark or link to the page from a different website, see similiar books, and even add their own tags to the item they are viewing. A person may also view the MARC record if they need more information. Another helpful feature that is often overlooked is that a user can see how many holds there are on the book before placing a hold on it themselves. Many library OPACs show a user how many people are on the waiting list before you only after they have placed a hold on an item. However, by showing the number of holds before it allows a person to decide whether they want to wait that long for the item.
Overall this is a very organized, user friendly OPAC. The various advanced searching options allows for very specific searching in a multitude of ways while simultaneously guiding users to other choices they might find interesting. And the general search bar and the "Reader's Corner" where librarians give their recommendations and favorite books allows for browsing. The Seattle Public Library is trying to give it's users the most options possible and the website gives users a chance to utilize these options within the library, but makes it so that the patron can make use of these options at times and places that are convinent to them.