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Z39.50 and COPAC access

Z39.50 access

Z39.50 clients such as BookWhere and EndNote can access the full Integrated Catalogue, with records displayed in the SUTRS (Simple Unstructured Text Record Syntax) format. Records can only be downloaded for non-commercial use.

The following configuration details are required to gain access:

  • Host Name: BLZCAT
  • Domain Name: z3950cat.bl.uk
  • Port Number: 9909
  • Database Names: BLAC or RPS
  • Record Syntax: SUTRS
  • Element Set Name: F (Full) or B (Brief)

Please note that RPS (the Register of Preservation Surrogates of over 187,000 microforms held by participating UK libraries) is only accessible as a separate file and is not included in the database BLAC.

Full Z39.50 connection details for access to the Integrated Catalogue are also available.

BookWhere 4x users need to make the following changes to the Rules for the SUTRS display in order for the session window to show all fields correctly:

Author: In the Add Field dialogue, select 'Extract the indented field' from the drop down menu, and type 'ME-Personal Name' in the Field name template box.
Date : In the Add Field dialogue, select 'Search the field for a date (YYYY)' from the drop down menu, and type 'Imprint' in the Field name template box.
ISBN : In the Add Field dialogue, select 'Extract the indented field' from the drop down menu, and type 'ISBN' in the Field name template box.
Subject Heading : In the Add Field dialogue, select 'Extract the indented field' from the drop down menu, and type 'Index Term- Unctrl' in the Field name template box.

EndNote users should download a connection file:  PC (.enz file) or Mac (.hqx file - please ensure this is unstuffed).

ProCite users should download these two files (1, 2) and add them to the BkwrAPI folder where ProCite is installed. You may be prompted to overwrite any existing BkwrAPI.z39 file - say 'Yes' to accept.

Reference Manager users should download these two files (1, 2) and add them to the BkwrAPI folder where Reference Manager is installed. You may be prompted to overwrite any existing BkwrAPI.z39 file - say 'Yes' to accept.

Anyone wishing to download records in the MARC format should visit our Data Services pages for details of services offered by the Library, including our free MARC21 Z39.50 service for non-commercial use.

COPAC access

COPAC is a union catalogue providing free access to the merged online catalogues of members of the Consortium of University Research Libraries. Currently 22 of the largest university research libraries in the UK and Ireland plus the British Library contribute records to COPAC. Full details along with access to the catalogue can be found at:
http://copac.ac.uk/copac/