model.rb

  # Connects to a Z39.50 resource and yields the connection.
  def self.connect
    ZOOM::Connection.open(self.endpoint, self.port) do |conn|
      conn.database_name = self.database
      conn.preferred_record_syntax = 'USMARC'
      unless self.user.blank? || self.password.blank?
        conn.set_option('user', self.user)
        conn.set_option('password', self.password)
      end
      yield conn
    end
  end