[ILL-L] Core Message Set Defined for NCIP Standard

[Cynthia Hodgson]

NISO's NCIP Implementers Group has defined a core set of nine messages that
is recommended for a minimal implementation of NCIP (ANSI/NISO Z39.83-2008,
NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol, Parts 1 and 2). The NCIP standard
addresses the need for interoperability among disparate circulation,
interlibrary loan, and related applications.

 

NCIP--which was revised in 2008 to include greater extensibility and
improved self-service and error handling--was conceived as a toolkit-style
standard with no minimum requirement for compliance beyond the use of at
least one of the 45 messages. This has led to confusion and an impression
that NCIP is difficult to support. By defining a Core Message Set, the NCIP
Implementers Group has provided a simple roadmap needed for a basic
implementation. The group believes that the NCIP Core Messages support the
majority of the current functionality for resource sharing and self-service
applications. Responding applications need only implement this set of
messages, which reduces the effort needed to become NCIP compliant.
Initiating applications may still use additional messages, but the
definition of a core set of messages will increase interoperability and
enable librarians to expect support for a common baseline workflow.

 

The messages in the core set are: Accept Item, Cancel Request Item, Check In
Item, Check Out Item, Lookup Item, Lookup User, Recall Item, Renew Item, and
Request Item.

 

The NCIP Implementers Group, which has semiannual meetings and monthly
conference calls to discuss maintenance and implementation issues, is also
looking to update the NCIP website with additional resources, considering a
move to a continuous maintenance model, creating a checklist to identify
vendors who have implemented specific messages, and aims to streamline the
profile template. The NCIP Maintenance Agency is EnvisionWare, led by Rob
Walsh, President.

 

Librarians and vendors who wish to learn more about the NCIP Implementers
Group are invited to contact Gail Wanner, Chair of the Implementers Group,
at gail.wanner at sirsidynix.com or visit www.ncip.info.

 

The NCIP standard is available for free download from the NISO website at:
http://www.niso.org/standards/z39-83-1-2008/

 

 

Cynthia Hodgson

NISO Technical Editor Consultant

National Information Standards Organization

Email: chodgson at niso.org

Phone: 301-654-2512

 

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