On Tue, 2003-12-30 at 23:41, baljkas@mb.sympatico.ca wrote:
Tuesday, December 30, 2003 17:35 CST
Hi, Edward,
About your message, 2 points
[snip] (The only Z39.50 server I have is the default Library of Congress one). [snip]
You might also want to try registering for free Z39.50 access via the National Library of Canada's Amicus service. As many of the same books are published simultaneously in Canada and the U.S., you will find many good MARC21-compliant records in our national database, too. Plus, sometimes, it can be a little easier to access, and there is the possibility of batching records for download.
Find out more at URL <http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/7/2/g2-400-e.html> . You will want to use the Amicus registered service; don't worry - it won't cost you anything, is usually set up in under 24 hours and they'll never bother you with anything more than a very occasional new services/upgrade/planned downtime notice.
This is an incredibly useful piece of information. Those of you who have been on this list for a while may remember my fruitless attempts to find a decent Z39.50 source for French books. I registered with the Amicus service this evening, and suddenly I am finding my searches returning with data...... many many thanks. I have found that with the combination of the Library of Congress, the National Library of Scotland, and Amicus, I am getting nearly 100% hit rate for all my searches. This is speeding my data entry rate considerably. All the best for the New Year Nigel -- Nigel Titley <nigel@titley.com>