A quick guide to … Z39.50 Available to Purchase

Z39.50 is a standard that defines a protocol to support the searching and retrieval of information across networks. It is much used in libraries, working “behind the scenes” to enable complex searches and multiple database searches to be carried out by users in a user‐friendly way, where the complexity of search and retrieval is hidden from them. This guide offers an overview of the Z39.50, what it is, how and why it has been developed, how it works and where future developments might lead. In addition, the “Jargon buster” section contains definitions of the terms and acronyms associated with Z39.40, that can be confusing to the beginner. The “resources” section offers suggestions for further reading on the subject, to help in building on the basic overview offered here.