Opening Up Library Systems Through Web Services And Soa

Library Technology Reports, November/December 2009 (45:8)
Featured in the January 2010 Computers in Libraries "Books to Check Out" column by Deborah Poulson.

Libraries are increasingly demanding the ability to exploit their library systems (LIS) using application programming interfaces (APIs), Web services, or other technologies. This issue of Library Technology Reports explores how vendors of open source library technology are approaching this desire for customization plus an in-depth exploration of trends towards APIs, Web services, and the service-oriented architecture.

Topics Covered in this Issue Include:

Why Should Libraries Care about Application Programming Interfaces?
APIs: Basic Concepts
Vendors and Products: Case Studies and Customer Responses
API Hype and Reality
Conclusions and resources