What is Z39.50?

ISO Z39.50 is an international standard for communication between library and information related systems. Z39.50 enables a user in one system to search and retrieve information from other computer systems (which have also implemented Z39.50) without knowing the search syntax used by those other systems. Z39.50 facilitates database-related functions, including cataloguing, interlibrary loan and reference. Z39.50 also allows simultaneous searching of multiple databases.

The text of the ISO Z39.50 standard is available from the Library of Congress, Oficial ISO Z39.50 Maintenance Agency.

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