Implication of Z39.50 for the libraries
OPACs
- Access any and all of the world’s major library catalogues or just the local sources with a single search.
Cataloguing:
Bibliographic record sourcing
- Multiple sources
- Searched simultaneously
- Records easily compared
Union Catalogues
- A “virtual” union catalogue.
- Search several catalogues simultaneously
- Useful material and its location can be displayed
Inter library loan (ILL)
- System- Arrange for the delivery, including account verification and billing, of an item to the enquirer.
- Libraries- able to search and order items in one operation
- Deal directly with whichever library serves their needs via library OPAC search tools.
Selective Dissemination of Information
- Librarian- specify search statements to be saved and run at intervals.
- Librarian- identify useful libraries and information resources and set up SDI profiles using a single interface.
Databases:
- Allow very complex search.
- Z39.50- complexity reduced.
- Contains equivalent search statements including proximity searching, term highlighting, image retrieval, individual chapter retrieval, specification of variant forms for downloading e.g. Word, Word Perfect etc.
Reference:
