The library’s On-line Public Access Catalog (OPAC) permits browsers to search for titles by author, subject, word in title, title, or narrator. Searches can be restricted to just one medium: Braille, cassette, large print, or descriptive video. Once a search is completed, information may be viewed about an individual title. Internet access and a current web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape, are required to use the OPAC. The web address for the OPAC is: www.blind.state.ia.us/opacnew.
Anyone can browse the OPAC for information about every book in our library’s collection. It displays the complete bibliographic record, including author, narrator, annotation, length, and availability. An on-line help manual covers the following topics: Searching Methods, Working with Search Results, and Exercises for Searching the OPAC with JAWS for Windows. The OPAC is completely accessible with screen reading technology.
Registered patrons of our library can send books to themselves using the OPAC. This requires a patron ID and password, which can be obtained from reader advisors.
