[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Update on Overdrive API integration

Elizabeth B. Thomsen et at noblenet.org
Fri May 2 16:04:36 EDT 2014


There are several different APIs and you can see a list of them with 
more information on OverDrive's developer portal:
https://developer.overdrive.com/

There are separate APIs for search, metadata and availability.  There's 
a real world example here:
https://developer.overdrive.com/docs/real-world

This describes creating an app to search a library's OverDrive 
collection rather than working with an opac, but it gives a general idea 
of how this works.

I think in theory you could send a search to both your Evergreen system 
and to OverDrive and then display both sets of results, but I don't know 
if this would be a good idea in practice.  (Sounds like federated search 
to me, which scares me!)

Timing is always an issue when you're checking multiple systems.  If you 
try Marmot's catalog, you can see a slight delay before the availability 
information arrive.  I notice that in the Boston Public Library's 
catalog (BiblioCommons) the availability information doesn't 
automatically display in the search results, but there's a "check 
availability" link that retrieves it.

My priorities for OverDrive integration would be getting the 
availability information, checkouts and holds functionality integrated 
into Evergreen.

Also, if the holds and checkout transactions happen on OverDrive but 
through Evergreen, where does the patron see and manage these -- in 
their record on Evergreen, in their record on OverDrive, or both?  Could 
we use the Patron Information API to get information about the patron's 
OverDrive holds and checkouts to display in their account information in 
the Evergreen catalog?

On 5/2/2014 3:28 PM, Holly Brennan wrote:
> I’m thinking that way too…. Otherwise, how would it know what we have
> from Overdrive? This API does a lot for helping the patron find info
> faster (without having to leave the catalog)… now I just need an API
> that tells our catalog what new records have been added to ListenAlaska
> (our statewide, Overdrive-run digital holdings)… without me doing a thing. J
>
> -Holly
>
> *From:*open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org
> [mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org] *On Behalf
> Of *Rogan Hamby
> *Sent:* Friday, May 02, 2014 11:17 AM
> *To:* Evergreen Discussion Group
> *Subject:* Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Update on Overdrive API integration
>
> I haven't read the APIs but I imagine you would.   If I'm wrong that
> would be really nice.  :)  Somehow I'm imaging this builds off behavior
> in 856 fields.
>
> On Fri, May 2, 2014 at 3:01 PM, Holly Brennan <haderhold at ci.homer.ak.us
> <mailto:haderhold at ci.homer.ak.us>> wrote:
>
> One question about the Overdrive API: If implemented, would I still have
> to import the MARC records supplied by OCLC, as if I was cataloging and
> importing "real" items? I'm thinking yes, but I can dream big.
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Holly
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org
> <mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org>
> [mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org
> <mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org>] On Behalf
> Of Elizabeth B. Thomsen
> Sent: Friday, May 02, 2014 5:09 AM
> To: open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org
> <mailto:open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org>
> Subject: Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Update on Overdrive API integration
>
> If you've never seen the OverDrive API in action, you can see examples
> in the Marmot catalog (VuFind) http://opac.marmot.org
>
> If you do a search on minor adjustment beauty salon, you'll see
> availability information for both their physical and digital versions of
> this title, including OverDrive and OneClickDigital.
>
> Here's a screenshot of the OverDrive ebook and audiobook versions of
> Lean In:
> http://www.noblenet.org/wp-content/uploads/leanin.png
>
> The available one has a Checkout button and the other has a Place Hold
> button.
>
> I like the fact that Marmot has an eContent Source facet.
>
> On 5/2/2014 8:47 AM, Rogan Hamby wrote:
>  > Not to derail the conversation from Overdrive support (which would be
>  > a great thing to have) I wonder if anyone else would be interested in
>  > OneClickDigital integration.  They don't have a published set of APIs
>  > at the moment but based on casual conversations I know they would be
>  > interested in having similar functionality in Evergreen.  This isn't
>  > high priority for us but I'm curious is there is widespread interest.
>  >
>  >
>  > On Fri, May 2, 2014 at 8:43 AM, Kathy Lussier <klussier at masslnc.org
> <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org>
>  > <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org>>> wrote:
>  >
>  >     Hi Ruth,
>  >
>  >     There is information on the Overdrive API at
>  > https://developer.overdrive.com/apis. The basic idea is that you
>  >     would see availability information for Overdrive material directly
>  >     in the catalog rather than sending the user to Overdrive to see this
>  >     information.  You could also allow users to do Overdrive checkouts
>  >     and place holds directly from the catalog.
>  >
>  >
>  >     Kathy
>  >
>  >     Kathy Lussier
>  >     Project Coordinator
>  >     Massachusetts Library Network Cooperative
>  > (508) 343-0128 <tel:%28508%29%20343-0128>  <tel:%28508%29%20343-0128>
>  > klussier at masslnc.org <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org>
>   <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org>>
>  >     Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/kmlussier
>  >
>  >     On 5/2/2014 8:30 AM, Ruth Frasur wrote:
>  >>     I'd need a little more information about what exactly it would do.
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>     On Thu, May 1, 2014 at 4:13 PM, Kathy Lussier
>  >>     <klussier at masslnc.org <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org>
> <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org>>> wrote:
>  >>
>  >>         Hi Sharon,
>  >>
>  >>         Funny, I was just thinking this morning of sending a similar
>  >>         message to the listserv. We aren't working on anything with
>  >>         Overdrive API integration, but, as I was beginning to plan for
>  >>         FY15 development projects to consider (FY15 begins in July for
>  >>         us), I added the Overdrive project to the list. I also would
>  >>         like to hear if anyone else is working on it, but, if not, I
>  >>         also would be interested in hearing if their are other
>  >>         community members interested in jointly funding a project.
>  >>
>  >>         Kathy
>  >>
>  >>         Kathy Lussier
>  >>         Project Coordinator
>  >>         Massachusetts Library Network Cooperative
>  >> (508) 343-0128 <tel:%28508%29%20343-0128> <tel:%28508%29%20343-0128>
>  >> klussier at masslnc.org <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org>
> <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org <mailto:klussier at masslnc.org>>
>  >>         Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kmlussier
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>         On 5/1/2014 3:52 PM, Sharon Herbert wrote:
>  >>
>  >>             In July 2013, I shared out some analysis from Sitka
>  >>             developer Steven Chan regarding the Overdrive API
>  >>             integration that was available at that time:
>  >> http://markmail.org/message/dbkraxlsj562wxzh
>  >>
>  >>             In October 2013, Overdrive released additional Circulation
>  >>             APIs and in January 2014, Sitka began development on
>  >>             integrating those additional pieces. To date, we have not
>  >>             been aware of any other EG jurisdictions working on this
>  >>             development, but as it is taking longer than we
>  >>             anticipated to complete, I wanted to check in with the
>  >>             community again to see if anyone one else is working on
>  >>             integrating the Overdrive APIs with EG, specifically for
> v2.6.
>  >>
>  >>             Thanks,
>  >>             Sharon
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>
>  >>     --
>  >>     Ruth Frasur
>  >>     Director of the Historic(ally Awesome) Hagerstown - Jefferson
>  >>     Township Library
>  >>     10 W. College Street in Hagerstown, Indiana (47346)
>  >>     p (765) 489-5632 <tel:%28765%29%20489-5632>
> <tel:%28765%29%20489-5632>; f (765) 489-5808
>  >>     <tel:%28765%29%20489-5808>
>  >>
>  >>     Our Kickin' Website<http://hagerstownlibrary.org> Our Rockin'
>  >>     Facebook Page <http://facebook.com/hjtplibrary> and Stuff I'm
>  >>     Reading<http://pinterest.com/hjtplibrary/ruth-reads/>
>  >>
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > --
>  >
>  > Rogan Hamby, MLS, CCNP, MIA
>  > Managers Headquarters Library and Reference Services, York County
>  > Library System
>  >
>  > “You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to
>  > stop reading them.”
>  > ― Ray Bradbury
>  > <https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1630.Ray_Bradbury>
>  >
>  > “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to
>  > suit me.”
>  > ― C.S. Lewis <http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1069006.C_S_Lewis>
>
>
> --
> Elizabeth Thomsen, Member Services Manager
> NOBLE: North of Boston Library Exchange
> 26 Cherry Hill Drive
> Danvers MA 01923
> E-mail: et at noblenet.org <mailto:et at noblenet.org>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Rogan Hamby, MLS, CCNP, MIA
>
> Managers Headquarters Library and Reference Services,
>
> York County Library System
>
> “You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to
> stop reading them.”
> ― Ray Bradbury <https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1630.Ray_Bradbury>
>
> “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to
> suit me.”
> ― C.S. Lewis <http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1069006.C_S_Lewis>
>


-- 
Elizabeth Thomsen, Member Services Manager
NOBLE: North of Boston Library Exchange
26 Cherry Hill Drive
Danvers MA 01923
E-mail: et at noblenet.org


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