Distributed Cataloguing: Computerized cataloguing provides a unique advantage of loading and merging of bibliographic and authority records from external databases. This feature of an automated system leads to a reduction in cataloguing effort and a consequent saving in the unit cost of cataloguing. This mode of shared cataloguing is popularly termed as copy cataloguing and implemented in libraries thorough: Merging of existing machine readable form of cataloguing data with the catalogue database Relevant and appropriate recordsfrom external databases (union catalogues or commercially available catalogue datasets) in magnetic or optical media may be added to the catalogue database, after modification to match local requirements (e.g. indication of added entries, references) and the addition of local data (e.g. call number, accession number, location). Downloading of bibliographical data of relevant records from any Z39.50 server (version 2 or version3) including but not limited to OCLC, RLG, and Library of Congress etc. This facility is achieved through the incorporation of Z39.50 copy cataloguing client in the catalogue module of the package.

1. Distributed Catalogue Code and Standards
Paper : Resource Description
Prepared by:
Parbat Chhetri
MLIS 2ND SEMESTER
Department of Library and Information Science,
University of North Bengal, Darjeeling, West Bengal-734013
Small Presentation
June 10, 2022
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2. Learning Objectives
The objectives of this presentation are as follows:
1 Distributed Catalogue Code and Standards
2 Information Exchange Formats
3 Search Criteria and User Interaction With OPACS
4 Z39.50 Protocol
5 Zebra Server
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3. Contents
1 Distributed Catalogue
2 ISO 2709 And ISBD
3 Search Criteria
4 User Interaction With OPACS
5 Z39.50
6 Zebra Server
7 Summary
8 References and Further Reading
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4. Distributed Catalogue
1 Catalogue Code : The catalog Code means a set of the principles,
rules , regulations for entering and describing books or other library
material in a catalogue.
2 Distributed Catalogue : Computerized cataloguing provides a
unique advantage of loading and merging of bibliographic and
authority records from external databases. This feature of an
automated system leads to a reduction in cataloguing effort and a
consequent saving in the unit cost of cataloguing.
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5. ISO 2709 And ISBD
1 ISO 2709 : ISO 2709 is an international standard format for
bibliographic information interchange on magnetic tape. It was
developed for the exchange of bibliographic records on magnetic tape,
originally in the Library of Congress MARC format.
2 ISBD : The International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD)
is a set of rules produced by IFLA (International Federation of Library
Association) to describe a wide range of library materials within the
context of a catalogue. The original purposes of the ISBD was to
provide a standard form of bibliographic description that could be
used to exchange records internationally. This would support IFLA’s
program of universal bibliographic control.
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6. Search Criteria
Various Search Criteria that we used as keywords for searching the
catalogue are as follows:
Title Search
Author Search
Subject Search
Publication Search
The above Criteria are just like filters used for performing the search
action. This reduces the processing time and increases the query execution
speed showing the response back to the user in no time.
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7. User Interaction With OPACS
1 User attitudes and behavior : Based on our research we found that
the most users like the OPAC system, and it is helpful in getting the
status of book with no strain. The user’s attitude changes based on
number of times the user has interacted with various OPAC systems.
2 OPAC input from users : Every OPAC system must have input
given by the users. Now its users dependent that what input he is
willing to give, it can be either commands, selection, but its
mandatory that he has to provide the search string which is helpful in
getting the results.
3 OPAC output : The Output is basically displayed on VDU, or can be
as printed copies as requested.
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8. NEXT STEP IN OPAC
Distributed OPAC : The major challenging and improvement needed is
integrating the OPAC in distributed environment where a single system
has to interact with multiple databases which are inter-connected with
each other. In distributed environment the search query is passed to
master database which will in turn sends it to other slave databases, the
result will also sent in the same manner.
In Order to resolve the round trip time conflict we use Z39.50 Protocol
where saves will sends the search results to system directly instead of
sending to master database.
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9. Z39.50 Protocol
The Z39.50 is a search and retrieval protocol at the application level.
Z39.50 standard defines a way for computers to communicate in a
distributed client/server environment for the purpose of information
retrieval.
According to Clifford Lynch, Z39.50 is a protocol which specifies data
structures and interchange rules that allow a client machine (as called an
“origin” in the standard) to search databases on a server machine (called a
“target” in the standard) and retrieve records that are identified as a result
of such a search.
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10. Z39.50 Protocol (Continued. . . )
Features Provided By Z39.50
Initializating
Searching
Presenting Records
Maintaining Multiple Search Results
Browsing
Sorting of Results
Controlling Access
Controlling Resources
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11. Z39.50 Protocol (Continued. . . )
How Z39.50 Works?
User selects the target library from the menu.
Enters search terms , the query is then sent to server by client.
The clients user interface will help to build the query and will
translate it in the proper syntax.
There is a primary negotiation between the client and server.
This particular query will ask the server for records where the terms
are found.
The server translates the search request for the targets library’s
database and receives a response about the numbers of machines.
If the client decides to ask for the records in the result set a
transfer is initiated. Client receives the records.
Records get presented in the interface for the user.
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12. Z39.50 Protocol (Continued. . . )
Implications For The Libraries
OPAC
Cataloguing
Union Catalogues
Inter Library Loan (ILL)
CD-ROM access
Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)
Web Searching and Filtering
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13. Z39.50 Protocol (Continued. . . )
Version of Z39.50
Version 1 was released in 1988 which was a standard way to provide
bibliographic details i.e. core service.
Version 2 was released in 1992 formalized the structure of information
to be exchanged based on ISO standard data description language
and encoding rules.
Version 3 was released in 1995, is extremely powerful in its support
for simple to highly complex application.
Version 4 was released in 2003 is maintained by Z39.50 maintenance
agency administered by library congress.
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14. Zebra Server
Zebra : Zebra is a free, fast,friendly information management system. It
can index records in XML, SGML, MARC, e-mail archives and many other
formats and quickly find them using a combination of Boolean Searching
and relevance ranking .
Server : A server is a software or hardware device that accepts and
responds to requests made over a network.
ZebraSrv : ZebraSrv is the Z39.50 and SRU front-end server for the
Zebra Search Engine and Indexer.
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15. Summary
Z39.50 Protocol is the key component for us to have Distributed
Catalogue which is being worked in Zebra Server.
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16. References and Further Reading
1. Z39.50 — A Primer on the Protocol - NISO Press.
2. The Bradford OPAC 2 -Managing and Displaying Retrievals from a
Distributed Search in Z39.50 - F.H.Ayres, L.P.S.Nielsen, M.J.Ridley -
University of Bradford.
3.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324988333-Distributed-
OPAC-System-Using-Z3950-Protocol
4. https://www.indexdata.com/zebra/doc/
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