Patterns and Preferences: An Analysis of OPAC Usage by Patrons at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Library Tirunelveli

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to empirically investigate the interaction between patrons and the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) at the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University Library. Its primary purpose was to identify dominant search patterns, assess user satisfaction, and uncover specific challenges to provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing the system's functionality and user experience.

Methodology: A mixed-methods research design was employed, analyzing data from two primary sources. First, quantitative transaction logs from the OPAC system for a three-month period (August to October 2019) were examined. Second, qualitative and quantitative data were gathered through a structured questionnaire distributed to 250 library patrons, from which 211 valid responses were received—an 84.4% response rate. All quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software for descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings: The study revealed a heavy reliance on basic OPAC searches (52.1% keyword/title), widespread user difficulty with irrelevant results (80.1%), and a strong preference for a simpler, Google-like interface (91.5%). A clear skills gap exists, where search success rates correlate directly with academic seniority, from 72.7% (faculty) to 37.1% (undergraduates).

Originality/Value: This research provides the first evidence-based analysis of OPAC usage specific to MSU Library, uniquely combining objective transaction log data with direct user feedback in a regional Indian academic context. The findings offer novel, actionable insights for optimizing library discovery systems in similar university settings.