WHAT OUR SCREENS SHOULD LOOK LIKE - AN INTRODUCTION TO EFFECTIVE OPACSCREENS

The interface is a crucial point in the success and satisfaction of pa trons, but designing effective screens is a role with which librarians may not feel comfortable. This article gathers from scattered and oft en specialized sources the most basic principles and presents these wi th rationale and practical checklists, so that librarians at all level s can approach the screen design process with some confidence. It disc usses the physical screen and general principles; menus, commands, inq uiry screens, and messages; and finally, organizational considerations .