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Could Your Library Be a Target on INFO VDX?
Here's what you need to know
- INFO VDX does not use your web access page to search your catalogue. It uses Z39.50 protocol to do this. You must have a Z39.50 server to participate as a target in the INFO network.
- If you are not sure what you have check with your vendor. They will know if you purchased the server component or just the Z39.50 client. The client allows you access to other Z39.50 servers. The server is needed for others to access your data.
- Systems sometimes come with Z39.50 server component disabled as the default. It has to be enabled before testing.
- Your Z39.50 server must be reliably accessible full-time by the INFO VDX servers.
- If you have a firewall it must be configured to allow access to the Z39.50 port by the INFO VDX servers.
- It is critical that your Z39.50 target be searchable by ISBN. You cannot participate as a target unless this works.
- Your database must return valid holdings records that can be mapped in VDX.
- We can get a library functioning as a Z39.50 target on VDX any time of the year. Not just at INFO database crunch time!
- If we are successful at getting the INFO VDX servers to interact with your Z39.50 server we will need the codes that you use to identify your branches in your holdings field. They are required to map locations within VDX.
- If we get your library up and running as a Z39.50 target you will no longer have to submit your records for inclusion in the INFO database every year.