At the National Library of Scotland we use the Alma library management system supplied by Ex Libris Group.
Access to the Alma database is available to search and retrieval systems using the z39.50 standard protocol (ISO 23950).
Please view the guidance notes on the use of records in our catalogues before setting up your connection.
z39.50 connection details
Database description: Catalogue of published resources including non-print legal deposit eBooks and journal titles.
Domain name: nls.alma.exlibrisgroup.com.
Port: 210.
Database name: 44NLS_INST.
Please note: You may need to have the rules on your organisation's firewall adjusted to enable access to the domain and port.
Use attributes supported
The following attributes from the Bib-1 semantics are supported:
- Personal name (1)
- Title (4)
- ISBN (7)
- ISSN (8)
- Local control number (12)
- Subject heading (21)
- Date of publication (31)
- Author (1003)
- Author name personal (1004)
- Any (keyword) (1016)
- Term (server choice) (1017)
- OCLC Number (1211).
Full details of the supported z39.50 actions, search attributes and present formats are available from Ex Libris.
Guidance notes
The Alma database includes records from OCLC and the British National Bibliography (BNB).
For use of OCLC records please see OCLC guidance on rights and responsibilities for the exchange of OCLC member-contributed data.
Commercial organisations require separate arrangements and should contact OCLC direct.
For use of BNB records, libraries may freely download such records on a one-by-one basis provided that the data is solely used for non-commercial purposes and supports standard library activities, such as acquisition, cataloguing and resource discovery.
Commercial organisations and libraries requiring separate arrangements should view British Library guidance on the use of BNB data, and contact the British Library direct.
The British Library
Collection Metadata
Boston Spa, Wetherby
West Yorkshire
LS23 7BQ
United Kingdom
Email: metadata@bl.uk
Contact us
If you have any questions about z39.50 configuration, please email enquiries@nls.uk.