Design principles for third-generation online public access catalogs : taking account of users and library use

The goal of this project is to establish design principles for Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs) on the basis of empirial study of library users and library use. We collected data on people's goals, information-seeking behaviors, and intentions in a variety of libraries. These data, have led to classifications of activities and intentions in information-seeking activities in libraries. The data are currently being further analyzed to establish relation-ships among activities and intentions, and to understand the reasons for success or failure of activities. The results to date suggests feature that should be incorporated in the next generation of OPACs