Structured AbstractPurpose of this paper: This paper details research undertaken to determine the key differences in the performance of certain centralised (physical) and distributed (virtual) bibliographic catalogue services, and to suggest strategies for improving interoperability and performance in, and between, physical and virtual models.Design/methodology/approach: Methodically defined searches of a centralised catalogue service and selected distributed catalogues were conducted using the Z39.50 information retrieval protocol, allowing search types to be semantically defined. The methodology also entailed the use of two workshops comprising systems librarians and cataloguers to inform suggested strategies for improving performance and interoperability within both environments. Findings:Technical interoperability was permitted easily between centralised and distributed models, however the various individual configurations permitted only limited semantic interoperability.Significant prescription in cataloguing and indexing guidelines, greater participation in the Program for Collaborative Cataloging (PCC), consideration of future 'FRBR' migration, and greater disclosure to end users are some of the suggested strategies to improve performance and semantic interoperability. Practical implications:This paper informs the LIS research community and union catalogue administrators, but also has numerous practical implications for those establishing distributed systems based on Z39.50 and SRW, as well as those establishing centralised systems.What is original/value of the paper?: The paper moves the discussion of Z39.50 based systems away from anecdotal evidence and provides recommendations based on testing and is intimately informed by the UK cataloguing and systems librarian community. 1This paper is published in 'Program: electronic library and information systems ', Vol.39, No.3, 2005, pp.227-247. IntroductionUnion catalogues are by no means a new phenomenon. As Cannel and Guy (2001) As with most technical service models, each has numerous advantages and disadvantages. Some of these have been widely documented in the literature for some time (Cousins, 1999;Nicholson, 2000;Stubley et al, 2001;Gatenby, 2002;Friesen, 2002;Taylor, 2003) or examined (Moen, 2001a; 2 This paper is published in 'Program: electronic library and information systems ', Vol.39, No.3, 2005, pp.227-247. Still, although Z39.50 has a long history, it is far from outmoded. As Taylor (2003) notes and predicts, Z39.50 may have peculiar problems but it remains capable of adapting to new environments and will experience wider deployment within the LIS sector and beyond for many years. Such predictions are certainly manifest in wider LIS deployment. As in many information rich countries, the UK is experiencing an increasing deployment of Z39.50 applications. While this is most marked in academic and research libraries, it is extending also to Further Education (FE) Colleges, public libraries and lifelong learning institutions. For example, t...
PurposeThis paper seeks to document the initial attempt to effect interoperation between a virtual (distributed) union catalogue of bibliographical records and a centralised catalogue of archival collection descriptions. Its specific purpose is to discuss the proposed technical solution and the anticipated usage and usability of the resultant service.Design/methodology/approachThe paper's research subjects were the M25 Consortium's InforM25 union catalogue and the Archives in London and the M25 Area's dual AIM25 databases. The architectural model to effect their interoperation utilised the Z39.50 (information‐retrieval protocol) functionality of the two services plus the latter's separate web application database.FindingsTwo core findings are reported. First, that technical interoperability between the Z39.50 elements of the nascent system was successfully achieved. Second, however, that semantic interoperability was significantly impaired by inconsistencies in the interpretation and processing of search types by the two AIM25 databases.Research limitations/implicationsThis exploratory research project was concluded in 2003. Since then, what might be termed the next‐generation Z39.50 protocol, Search & Retrieve Web Service (SRW), has been developed. The paper would suggest that the interoperation of InforM25 and AIM25 forms a test‐bed application scenario for SRW.Practical implicationsRegardless of which information‐retrieval protocol is used, a model for controlling semantic interoperability will be an essential requirement. It is recommended that this model be derived from the ISO‐registered Bath Profile.Originality/valueThis paper reiterates the central importance of the need to achieve semantic interoperability in distributed search environments, and should therefore be of interest to those concerned with the funding and creation of any such regional, national or international initiatives.
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