Z39.50: The Standard for Information Retrieval and its Application in Libraries

Z39.50 information retrieval protocol is developed by NISO to facilitate interoperability between the systems having different platforms. It allows the user to search local as well as remote servers and retrieve the result set on his machine. Other features like sorting, browse/scan access control and extended servers are an added advantage to the protocol. Library services like OPAC, Virtual Union Catalogue, Inter Library Loan, SDI, CD-search and online information retrieval through Internet can be provided with the help of this protocol. The profiles developed for library environment and their features are also discussed in this paper.