Lånerkataloger

Lånerkataloger are publicly accessible catalogs used by library patrons to search for materials that can be borrowed and to manage loans. They are typically part of an integrated library system and may be described as OPACs (online public access catalogs) or discovery interfaces. Through a lånerkatalog, users can locate books, journals, media, and other resources, view bibliographic records, and see which library locations hold a given item.

Core features include search by title, author, subject, ISBN, or keyword; view of holdings and location; current status (available, checked out, on loan, or on hold); due date and loan period; renewal options; and the ability to place holds or make interlibrary loan requests. Most catalogs also provide access to a user account showing active loans, fines, and borrowing history, as well as options to save searches or create personalized lists.

Many lånerkataloger cover multiple libraries within a city, region, or nation, enabling discovery across partner institutions. They can support interlibrary loan workflows, request for purchase, and links to digital resources or digitized copies. They often integrate with other services such as e-book readers, reservation systems, and mobile apps.

Technically, catalogs rely on bibliographic metadata (often MARC or Dublin Core), holdings data, and item-level identifiers like barcodes. They may be built on a dedicated library management system or a discovery layer that connects to multiple catalogs. Accessibility and privacy considerations are increasingly emphasized, with multilingual interfaces and responsive designs.

Historically, lånerkataloger evolved from card catalogs to online public access catalogs (OPACs) and, more recently, to modern discovery tools that unify physical and digital holdings. National and regional catalogs, such as Libris in Sweden and Oria in Norway, influence how local lånerkataloger are organized and accessed. The term generally refers to services aimed at borrowers, distinguishing them from acquisition or staff cataloging tools.