Joined up indexes: interoperability issues in Z39.50 networks

The paper discusses issues in the interoperability of indexes to metadata records in distributed information retrieval networks, based on the findings of the CAIRNS and SCONE projects. The Co-operative Academic Information Retrieval Network for Scotland and Scottish Collections Network Extension projects have evolved into embryonic services which fit together to provide user-driven collection identification and selection mechanisms and the ability to cross-search related metadata for item discovery and access. The CAIRNS Cataloguing Issues Working Group identified a number offactors affecting cross-searching of metadata indexes for authors, titles, subjects and control numbers, induding local cataloguing policies, content standards, and index structures. The SCONE project has identified issues in subject indexing at the collection level, in particular the relationship between collections with specific subject content and general collectionsfor which Conspectus-type subject strength mappings are appropriate. The paper discusses these findings in a cross-domain context.