Some folks have mentioned library-created APIs in this thread. 

A couple of staff here at NCSU Libraries wrote up a piece in the Code4Lib Journal (wow! back in 2007!) about the API we created for our catalog years ago and still use very heavily (for several apps not even developed yet when that article was written).

http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/10

Our locally developed ERM also provides a set of web services we use to populate our journal list and database finder on our public website.

Externally, we use the standard set of freebies: Google Books, HathiTrust, Open Library, OCLC WorldCat API. We subscribe to Syndetics and use APIs (sort of) to pull in covers, contents, previews, etc. We also subscribe to Summon and use their API. Tempted to use Serials Solutions' 360 Link API to create our own version of the service window interface, but we've managed not to do that yet!

-emily lynema
NCSU Libraries

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:    Sat, 8 Oct 2011 13:33:52 -0400
From:    "Michel, Jason Paul" 
Subject: Examples of Web Service APIs in Academic & Public Libraries

Hello all,

I'm a lurker on this listserv and am interested in gaining some insight int=
o your experiences of utilizing web service APIs in either an academic libr=
ary or public library setting.

I'm writing a book for ALA Editions on the use of Web Service APIs in libra=
ries.  Each chapter covers a specific API by delineating the technicalities=
 of the API, discussing potential uses of the API in library settings, and =
step-by-step tutorials.

I'm already including examples of how my library (Miami University in Oxfor=
d, Ohio) are utilizing these APIs but would like to give the reader more ex=
amples from a variety of settings.

APIs covered in the book: Flickr, Vimeo, Google Charts, Twitter, Open Libra=
ry, LibraryThing, Goodreads, OCLC.

So, what are you folks doing with APIs?

Thanks for any insight!

Kind regards,

Jason

--
Jason Paul Michel
User Experience Librarian
Miami University Libraries
Oxford, Ohio 45044
twitter:jpmichel

 


Emily Lynema
Associate Department Head
Information Technology, NCSU Libraries
919-513-8031
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