The following article originally appeared in the February 2010 issue of Smart Libraries Newsletter. You can purchase that issue, which contains more of Marshall Breeding's expert analysis of the library automation industry, at http://bit.ly/9Cosm1.
In a move that opens the massive WorldCat database to external developers, OCLC has released a limited set of application programming interfaces (APIs) to programmers outside of its direct membership. OCLC has offered a more robust API to affiliated organizations for more than a year. Releasing an API to external, unaffiliated developers, may open up new opportunities that enable library-created bibliographic data to be used in new types of applications.
Dubbed the WorldCat Basic API, a limited number of Web services have been exposed for non-commercial use. OCLC also offers the WorldCat Search API, which provides programmatic access to complete bibliographic records. OCLC limits access to the full WorldCat Search API to qualified institutions.
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I have a strong interest in the business side of the library automation industry. I find it fascinating to monitor and report on the latest news and events surrounding the companies and other organizations that develop and make technology products available to libraries. Libraries make significant investments in technology year after year, and it’s essential that we understand as much as we can about the organizations involved. As a writer and analyst of the library automation industry, I try to make sure as much information as possible is available to libraries as they make decisions about how they work with these companies and organizations.
