Only for visual purpose
Today, school libraries are much more than rooms filled with books. They are active learning spaces where students explore ideas, ask questions, and develop skills for life. An OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) helps make this possible. It is an online tool that lets students, teachers, and librarians search for books and other resources easily. Just like a search engine for the library, an OPAC shows what is available, where to find it, and whether it is checked out or not. This simple tool saves time, improves access, and helps students become independent readers and researchers.
Why CBSE and Progressive Schools Should Use OPACs
Schools following CBSE, IB, or other progressive learning approaches encourage students to ask questions, explore topics deeply, and learn through projects. An OPAC supports this by letting students find books and digital resources on their own. It helps connect reading and research with what they are learning in the classroom. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 also talks about using technology to support learning, and having an OPAC in your library is a great way to do that. It makes the library more useful, more visible, and more connected to teaching and learning in your school.
Why ERP Systems Alone Are Not Enough
Many schools use ERP systems (Enterprise Resource Planning) to manage fees, attendance, and student records. Some of these systems have a small library module, but it is not enough. These modules only help with basic tasks like issuing or returning books. They do not support advanced library features like proper cataloguing, subject searches, or reading history. An OPAC system like Koha is made just for libraries—it gives better control, better reports, and helps students and teachers find the right resources. Relying only on ERP or Excel can hold the library back.
Koha vs ERP: A Simple Comparison
| Feature | Koha Or another (Library System) | ERP System (Admin Software) |
| Made for Libraries? |  Yes |
 No |
| Can users search books easily? | Yes, with filters (author, title, subject, etc.) |
Limited or no search features |
| Supports full cataloguing? | Yes (with MARC, DDC, etc.) |
Very basic |
| Helps with reading habits? | Yes, users can see history, write reviews, reserve books |
Not available |
| Open-source / budget-friendly? | Yes (Koha and eGranthalaya are both free) or another OPAC |
Mostly paid |
| Useful for NEP or IB schools? | Yes, supports research and inquiry learning |
Not connected to teaching and learning |
Simple Reasons to Move to OPACs like Koha or eGranthalaya
- Students can search for books on their own—just like Google for the library.
- Saves librarian time—no more manual work in Excel or registers.
- Makes your library organized—catalogue by subject, author, series, etc.
- Helps students with research and reading projects.
- Accessible from anywhere—students can search even from home.
- Great for small budgets—Koha and eGranthalaya are free and training comes with a small fee
- Get useful reports—see popular books, overdue lists, and reading trends.
- Professionalize your library—it shows your school is future-ready and serious about learning.
If you are starting out as a librarian, remember that learning these tools takes time, but they will make your work easier and your library stronger. Start small, ask for help, and take one step at a time. Tools like Koha, Libsys, eGranthalaya and other OPACs are used in schools, colleges, and even government libraries across India.