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RLUK Database FAQ

Contents

RLUK Database FAQs

The RLUK MARC21 database is a database of the records of the members libraries of RLUK and data from other sources. Records are stored in native MARC21 and can be accessed via z39.50 (external link) or the new web interface. The database is also available to non-members of RLUK as a charged-for service.

What data are in the database?

The RLUK (Research Libraries UK) catalogue represents the holdings of its members, including UK and Ireland legal deposit libraries. It also includes records from contributing non-member libraries (for example, the Library of Tate Britain), plus other resource records (for example, from the Library of Congress). A full list of contributing libraries can be seen at: http://www.rluk.ac.uk/node/307

What data are expected to be added?

An up-to-date list of future scheduled contributors can be viewed at: http://www.rluk.ac.uk/node/307#fc

How many records are on the database?

A tally of the amount of records comprising the database as it grows monthly can be accessed under: http://www.rluk.ac.uk/node/487

What standards are used?

Standards that RLUK has set out in the cataloguing of items in its member libraries can be found at: http://www.rluk.ac.uk/node/300

How does RLUK identify its records?

Records in the database are identified through use of the RLUK 049 and the 090 fields. Please see: http://www.rluk.ac.uk/node/306#049 for more information

Who can use the RLUK database?

Any not for profit organisation: e.g. academic libraries, public libraries, research organisations.

How much does it cost?

Access is free for members of RLUK but for non-members the following charges apply: 49p plus VAT per search.

(There are no other charges).

How can I become a customer?

Please contact:

The RLUK Data Services Manager.

After signing a licence agreement to cover licences CURL has with its record suppliers, and submitting the registration forms, you will be issued with a

userid and password, and these will be enabled for z39.50 and the web-based interface.

The database can be accessed via z39.50 or through RLUK's bespoke web-based interface.

Invoices are issued tri-monthly.

How do I arrange to have a month’s free trial of the database?

Please contact:

The RLUK Data Services Manager.

Who do I contact for further information about the RLUK Database?

Please contact:

The RLUK Data Services Manager.

I would like to download records in UKMARC - Is this possible?

RLUK no longer runs a UKMARC service as such. It may be possible to provide you with batch-downloading of converted records from the MARC21 database. To

discuss this possibility, please contact:

The RLUK Data Services Manager.

I would like to find out where material is held but don’t require bibliographic records in MARC format

The records of the member libraries of RLUK and other non-member contributors to the service are also available via COPAC which is a free national online

tool for anyone wishing to find out where material is held. For more information see:

http://copac.ac.uk/

I would like to find out where serials material is held but don’t require bibliographic records in MARC format

The serial records of the majority of RLUK member libraries and from other bibliographical sources are also available via SUNCAT, which is a free national service for anyone wishing to find out where serials material is held. For more information see:

http://edina.ac.uk/suncat/

I would like Further technical information on the MARC21 database

A full specification of the database can be found at:

http://www.rluk.ac.uk/node/465

I would like to search the MARC21 database from a Z39.50 client

Comprehensive information on using your Z39.50 client to access the RLUK database is available at:

http://www.rluk.ac.uk/node/463

Can you search the database via a web interface

Yes, RLUK has created an alternative way of accessing its database, using a web front-end and encompassing all the major features (deduplication and record weighting) of the service available via Z39.50. All details on this way of working are to be found at: http://www.rluk.ac.uk/node/312

I would like some more information about the database and its composition

A spectrum of data on provenance, language, date range, growth and material type, etc. can be referenced under:

http://www.rluk.ac.uk/node/487