I have a question about Z39.50 record downloading.
Our library system recently made the decision to close down Z39.50 access to our MARC records from our catalog. The primary reason being that in our system, about half the libraries are a part of the ILS system, and pay for our cataloging costs through the payment of their consortium fees. There are other libraries in our system, which are not part of the automated consortium, who would like access to our MARC records via Z39.50, but as they do not pay the consortium fees, we felt we needed to protect those records for the members of the ILS consortium.
Since shutting down the Z39.50 access, we've had inquiries from 2 libraries - 1 out-of-state, and 1 in our system (but not part of the ILS)- about no longer being able to download our records.
In theory, I'm absolutely in favor of allowing the access to our records, but I understand that the system feels that it is not economically feasible to share the records.
I know this issue has been discussed before, but I'd be interested in others' perspectives on the economic issues surrounding Z39.50 access.
----------------------------------------------
Nicholas T. Bennyhoff
CMC Cataloger
Lewis and Clark Library System
2765 Goshen Rd.
Edwardsville, IL 62025
(618)656-3216 ext.107
nicholasbennyhoff_at_lcls.org
________________________________________________________________
Sent via the WebMail system at mailman.lcls.org
Received on Fri Mar 28 2008 - 08:23:48 EDT