Registering Remote Resource Servers

To provide remote resources as search targets, you set up server records for the remote resources. Polaris uses the Z39.50 version 3 protocol to access remote target databases. Using the Polaris Find Tool, you can search for and retrieve MARC 21 records and holdings information from these Z39.50 target sites. You can also make Z39.50 target databases available for searching in the PAC. An unfiltered remote Z39.50 database search returns all types of materials in PowerPAC search results, regardless of whether patrons can actually request the materials via interlibrary loan. You can set up a Contextual Query Language (CQL) filter for a particular Z39.50 connection that filters the results to show only those materials that patrons can actually request.

To enable the connection to a remote Z39.50 target, you set up a server record for the target in Polaris Administration and add a Z39.50 connection entry to the record. The organization that owns the remote database provides the IP address and logon information.

Z39.50 searching depends on standard Bib-1 Use attributes for search access points. If a standard Bib-1 Use attribute has not been defined for a search access point, Polaris relies on proprietary Bib-1 Use attributes. (Bib-1 Use attributes between 5,000 and 10,000 are reserved for these proprietary attributes). These non-standard search access points may not work with Z39.50 target sites. For example, the UPC barcode does not have a standard Bib-1 Use attribute. If you search bibliographic records at a Z39.50 target site for the UPC barcode number, setting the Search by field to UPC number in the Polaris Find Tool, the search will likely fail. However, if you search for the UPC barcode number by Other system number (a standard access point), you will likely find the title.

Note:
Polaris ZMARC provides access to over 11 million bibliographic records, over seven million name authority records, and close to three million subject authority records cataloged by the Library of Congress, as well as over 250,000 AV records provided by Baker & Taylor. If your library subscribes to Polaris ZMARC databases, Polaris Customer Support sets up the remote search targets for the ZMARC databases. For more information about Polaris ZMARC, contact your Site Manager.