WorldCat Basic API Now Available

The new WorldCat Basic API makes the world's largest library catalog available in a programmatic way. This new API from OCLC is being offered as a very simple interface into WorldCat. Envisioned as a mashable access point for lightweight apps such as for mobile phones, WorldCat Basic API is available for noncommercial use. Its release underscores OCLC's commitment to transparency and accessibility for the developer community to work with WorldCat data.

The WorldCat Basic API lets you search WorldCat and receive results for items in libraries such as books, videos, music and more. It uses OpenSearch technology and returns feeds in Atom and RSS. Results include information about authors, titles, ISBNs and OCLC numbers. Records will be returned in standard bibliographic citation formats such as APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA and Turabian. The API will also provide links back to WorldCat.org for geographically-sorted library information.

Individual developers can gain access to the WorldCat Basic API from the WorldCat Affiliates site, where they will be assigned their own unique “wskey” to use the service. Commercial uses of the WorldCat Basic API are encouraged, although interested parties are required to contact the WorldCat Partnership team at owcpartner@oclc.org to arrange access.

OCLC Web Services continues to offer ways to connect people with knowledge through libraries, and for libraries to reap the benefits of library cooperation. Six other Web Services are available from OCLC: xISBN, xISSN, WorldCat Registry APIs, the OpenURL Gateway, WorldCat Identities and the WorldCat Search API. Additionally, ready-made WorldCat widgets, are available for download from the WorldCat.org site.