What is Z39.50?

Z39.50 refers to an International Standard (ISO) that specifies a client/server-based protocol for searching and retrieving information from remote databases. reQuest, Connecticut's Statewide Library Catalog, has Z39.50 origin and target capabilities. reQuest Z39.50 target capability is available for searching and for downloading MARC records. reQuest origin capability is used for providing checking shelf status, i.e. providing circulation status of materials listed in the reQuest Main catalog and is also used for searching selected catalogs.

Use for Checking Shelf Status in reQuest

If your library contributes holdings to reQuest and your local circulation system is both available on the Internet and supports the Z39.50 protocol, reQuest has the ability to provide circ status information for those items listed in the Main Catalog. The catalogs can be either single library catalogs or multi-library catalogs.

If your catalog supports Z39.50 as a target, we encourage you to activate this capability for your catalog by completing the information the Z39.50 Profile Form and returning it via fax to 860-704-2229. We will use this information to "profile" your catalog in reQuest. Once profiled, all of your library's holdings in reQuest will display a checkmark next to your library's name in the "Locations" section of a bibliographic record. Any user can then click to retrieve that item's circ status information directly from your library catalog. There is no charge to your library for this service. (If you are unsure whether or not your catalog supports the Z39.50 protocol as target, please contact your vendor.)

Use for Searching in reQuest

Z39.50 target information for the reQuest Main and Magazine (Serials) Catalogs is available to libraries and patrons for searching the reQuest database.

Downloading MARC Records from reQuest

Z39.50 target information for reQuest is available to reQuest participating libraries for the purpose of downloading MARC records from reQuest directly into a library's local system. The target information is made available to patrons for the purpose of downloading citation information from reQuest to create bibliographies.

Responsibilities of Libraries and Patrons for Searching Only:

reQuest's Z39.50 target information is given to libraries and patrons for use in searching reQuest under the following conditions:

• The library or patron agrees to not redistribute the Z39.50 target information to other libraries or patrons.
• The library or patron agrees to sign the reQuest Z39.50 Code Agreement as to use of the Z39.50 target information.
• The library will provide the same Z39.50 profile information for their own system, for use by reQuest, if available.

Responsibilities of Libraries and Patrons for Searching and Downloading MARC records:

reQuest's Z39.50 target information is given to Connecticut libraries and patrons for use in searching and downloading MARC records under the following conditions:

• The library or patron agrees to not redistribute the Z39.50 target information.
• The library or patron agrees to sign the reQuest Z39.50 Code Agreement as to use of the Z39.50 target information.
• The library will provide the same Z39.50 profile information for their own system, for use by reQuest, if available
• Libraries must be reQuest participants to use the Z39.50 target information to download MARC records.
• If libraries discontinue their reQuest participation their rights to the Z39.50 target information for downloading MARC records would cease.