Investigating library OPACs this week has been one of those topics where I realize how much I have to learn. Unfortunately, all my experience both as a librarian and as a library patron have been with the SAILS/SirsiDynix Symphony iBistro online catalog interface. This made it difficult to "read about" other library OPACs and try to picture actually using them. I did find a few demos but this is a task that I would really want to visit libraries and be able to log in and really use the interfaces.
I was frustrated with the Breeding Library Automation website. I found it confusing with all the company logos just displayed on a page. Then there was not much useful information on the links themselves. It was all very high-level.
I also had to get beyond my own confusion that SAILS is not providing all the library management functionality. It had come to feel that way due to the fact that SAILS is the only company that I ever interact with - for training, circulation and cataloging, reports, technical support, etc. I barely noticed the name of the Workflows software application that SAILS showed me how to use was Symphony from SirsiDynix.
My OPAC proposal looks at keeping SAILS/SirsiDynix or moving to Koha/LibLime/MassCat in the Norfolk elementary schools.
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I don't know what to do about Breeding's site. I like it because it is so comprehensive with the number of providers it contains, but it is really just a jumping off point for all the information it contains.
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