MCLS Communique

WorldCat Search API Now Supports Limited JSON Output

March 12th, 2010 Kelly Bayee

The WorldCat Search API has been enhanced to support the JSON format option for library location (holdings data).

This format option for library holdings data is helpful for developers who want to supply a list of nearby WorldCat libraries that hold the materials in question.

The JSON holdings format provides some very brief bibliographic information along with structured data describing holding libraries, including the familiar values from the current XML response.  Find more information on the JSON holdings format in the documentation at http://worldcat.org/devnet/wiki/SearchAPIDetails#JSON_Format_for_Holdings_Location

Additional recent enhancements to the WorldCat Search API include the addition of South African postal codes and fixes for the following entities:

• OCLC symbols that include “@” in the symbol name
• the “any” relation operator
• SRU errors with quotation marks

Developers everywhere are encouraged to exercise their creativity to create new mash-ups that make use of WorldCat data through the WorldCat Search API, WorldCat Basic API, building WorldCat.org links, and other WorldCat widgets.

OCLC Web Services continue to offer ways to connect people with knowledge through libraries, and for libraries to reap the benefits of library cooperation.  To join the OCLC Developer Network conversation, join the WC-DEVNET-L listserv, read the OCLC Developer Network blog, and follow @oclcldevnet.

Entry Filed under: OCLC News