z39.50 search on title returns "An error was encountered while performing the z39.50 query"

Problem symptoms

When a third-party client attempts to search Voyager via z39.50 by title, the search returns the following:

An error was encountered while performing the Z39.50 query: 
UnsupportedSearch (Voyager) 

Cause

The z39.50 configuration in the client is conducting a keyword search across multiple subfields (@attr 1 = 4). Keyword indexing is based on individual field/subfield combinations; the client is searching the full title (245 subfields a and b) and should be configured to query as a left-anchored search.

Resolution

1. Review the configuration for the search in the client.
2. Update configuration to include position and truncation attributes. For example: @attr 1=4 @attr 3=1 @attr5=1
3. Save changes and try searching again.

Additional information

See https://www.loc.gov/z3950/agency/defns/bib1.html for more information on the z39.50 search attributes above.

• Article last edited: 15-Feb-2016