The degree to which a library catalogue can be consulted easily by teachers and students is of great significance if teacher-librarians wish to encourage user-independence. A flexible catalogue will allow broader use of the school library.
I think that a flexible, user-friendly catalogue is imperative to a modern library's success. If one of the key signifiers of a successful library is access, the catalogue is a gateway to this. Often library users will start with a catalogue (even before walking through the door) as a way to try to find information. If they are faced with roadblocks at this point, they can be lost before they even get started.
The term "user-independence" is very interesting. Encouraging this is so important and being able to do this within the context of the library is a good place for learning this skill which can then be applied to learning in other environments, which is necessary for life-long learning.
By offering a flexible catalogue, it is more likely that users will have successful experiences. Technology at its best is seamless and responsive. The structure of a program needs to be such that it is easily used by all. If the use of the technology overshadows the information that the user is looking for, it risks distracting the user and limiting his or her ability to go forward.
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