Back to Search Start Over

Use of Z39.50 To Access Distributed Union Catalogues. Discussion Paper.

Authors :
National Library of Canada, Ottawa (Ontario).
Zeeman, J.
Turner, F.
Publication Year :
1997

Abstract

A distributed union catalog is a network of bibliographic systems that cooperate to enable their users to discover sites that hold copies of known items. Some participating systems will be traditional union catalogs, others will be single sites with comprehensive collections, and others will be local or regional resource sharing systems. A principal goal of the distributed union catalog is to allow the user to obtain a useful number of locations for an item with a minimal number of searches. Z39.50 (an information protocol standard) is a vital tool in enabling libraries and their patrons handle resource sharing in libraries and the computing environment. For Z39.50 to be used effectively for resource sharing, implementors, particularly library system vendors, must begin to support agreed-upon mechanisms transferring locations, holdings, and circulation information in a standardized way. Various approaches and issues surrounding the electronic transfer of library holdings information through union catalogs are discussed. Appendices include a definition of an OPAC record; and USMARC for "holdings" field list. (SWC)

Details

Language :
English
Database :
ERIC
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
ED461381
Document Type :
Reports - Evaluative