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<p class=MsoPlainText>I am in the process of writing an issue of Library
Technology Reports for ALA TechSource titled “Hype or reality:
Opening up library systems through Web Services and SOA.” Today
almost all ILS products make claims regarding offering more openness through
APIs, Web services, and through a service-oriented architecture (SOA).
This report aims to look beyond the marketing claims and identify specific
types of tasks that can be accomplished beyond the delivered interfaces through
programmatic access to the system internals. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>As part of the research for this article I am soliciting
feedback from libraries that taken advantage of Web Services or other
API’s in conjunction with their core Integrated Library System (ILS) to
meet specific needs. I’m interested in hearing about how you might
have been able to integrate library content and services into applications,
extracted data, automated processes or other novel applications. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Please tell me about your experiences with your ILS in
regard to the APIs it offers: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText> - Do you feel like you can pretty much do anything
you want with the system, or do you feel constrained? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText> -Are the APIs offered able to address all the data
and functionality within the ILS? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText> -On the flip side, do you feel like your ILS is too
closed? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText> -Do you find the APIs offered by the developer of
the ILS to be well documented?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText> - What programming languages or other tools were
you able to use to take advantage of these APIs?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText> - What level of programming proficiency is
required: Systems librarian with scripting languages, software
development engineer, or something in between?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText> - What’s on your wish list? What kind
of APIs would you like to see incorporated into your current or next ILS?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText> - I’m interested in responses from those that
use open source ILS products as well. Are you able to programmatically
interact with the ILS? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText> - Do you consider your ILS as embracing a true
Service-oriented architecture? Systems vendors increasingly promote their
ILS as SOA. Can you provide examples where the ILS does or does not
exhibit traits of SOA in your environment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>While it’s important for the ILS to offer support
for standard protocols such as Z39.50, NCIP, and OAI, that’s not the core
of the issue here. What I’m looking for are API’s that allow
the library to get at data and functionality not addressed by these protocols.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences in ILS
API’s with me for this report. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>I appreciate your assistance.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>-marshall<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Summary excerpt:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Libraries increasingly need to extract data, connect with
external systems, and implement functionality not included with the delivered
systems. Rather than being reliant on the products developers for
enhancements to meet these needs, libraries increasingly demand the ability to
exploit their systems using APIs, Web Services, or other technologies.
Especially in libraries that exist in complex environments where many different
systems need to interact, the demand for openness abounds. As libraries
develop their IT infrastructure, it’s imperative to understand the extent
to which their automation products are able to interoperate and thrive in this
growing realm of Web services. This report aims to assess the current
slate of major library automation systems in regard to providing openness
through API’s, Web Services, and the adoption of SOA.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Marshall Breeding<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Director for Innovative Technology and Research<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Vanderbilt University Library<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>Editor, Library Technology Guides<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>http://www.librarytechnology.org<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText>615-343-6094<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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