http://www.iaeme.com/IJLIS/index.asp 28 editor@iaeme.com International Journal of Library & Information Science (IJLIS) Volume 7, Issue 1, Jan–Feb 2018, pp. 28–34, Article ID: IJLIS_07_01_005 Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJLIS/issues.asp?JType=IJLIS&VType=7&IType=1 Journal Impact Factor (2016): 8.2651 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com ISSN Print: 2277-3533 and ISSN Online: 2277-3584 © IAEME Publication ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGUE (OPAC) USAGE PATTERNS AMONG THE LIBRARY USERS OF ODISHA: A STUDY Rosalien Rout Librarian, Malda Women’s College, Malda, West Bengal, India Pijushkanti Panigrahi Professor, Department of Library and Information Science & Dean, Faculty Council of PG Studies in Education, Journalism and Library Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India ABSTRACT This paper is aimed at presenting the results of a survey conducted to determine the usage patterns of OPAC among the library users of higher educational institutions in the state of Odisha. An attempt has been made here to assess usage pattern in terms of awareness, the frequency of use, the purpose of use, search pattern, success in locating items and problems faced while using OPAC. Total 380 questionnaires were selected for the study out of the 393 filled questionnaires received. The data received from the respondents is analyzed using simple percentage approach. The findings of the study revealed that OPAC usage rate is quite low among the library users of Odisha. However, the users who use OPAC most frequently conduct title and author searches. The majority of the respondents indicated that they were moderately successful in locating documents through OPAC. It is also found that most of the users are unaware of the all the facility available in the OPAC and encounter problem while searching. Some of the problems observed from the study includes:difficulty in query formation, maximum time search failure, no scope for spelling correction, inadequate instruction in the OPAC software, OPAC not functioning properly and lack of proper guidance from the library staff. Hence, the study suggested that improvement of OPAC functionality is the urgent need for the effective and proper utilization of OPAC. Key words: Higher Educational Libraries, Institution of Odisha, Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), Searching Problem, Use pattern, User study. Cite this Article: Rosalien Rout and Pijushkanti Panigrahi, Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) Usage Patterns among the Library Users of Odisha: A Study. International Journal of Library & Information Science, 7(1), 2018, pp. 28–34. http://www.iaeme.com/IJLIS/issues.asp?JType=IJLIS&VType=7&IType=1