1. Sierra REST APIs – Real World Applications
Steve Schoen, Product Manager

2. Sierra REST API v1.0 (Bib & Item APIs)
GA on April 28, 2014
Provides RESTful access to Sierra Bib & Item data for integration with library and 3rd party software components
Can be used to power Discovery layer of choice and other library systems

3. What libraries can do with Sierra REST APIs
Harvest catalog info to power discovery
Replace WebPAC ‘scraping’
Receive more real-time Bib and Item availability results
Create custom web site features that “mash up” Seirra data (e.g. recent titles)
Create custom reporting apps
Extend library systems with two-way access to Sierra data
Place and manage holds
Retrieve and update Patron records
Endless possibilities
v1.0
Later 2014

4. Use Case: Marmot Library Network
“Marmot installed Sierra 1.2 April 30, and fast-tracked the installation of the APIs. The Bib API is already in production on a new server running our latest VuFind 2014 code for a few school libraries. Later this month it will be live for two publics, one academic, and a few schools; then gradually roll out to other libraries.
We had already been using Sierra DNA to make direct database calls to harvest catalog data into this open source discovery layer. At this point the "Bib API query by date updated" is handy to fetch changes in circ status every 15 minutes, so the Availability facet is pretty close to real-time, which is remarkable for a discovery layer.”
Jimmy Thomas, Executive Director
Marmot Library Network

5. APIs Open Sierra to New Library Applications
Discovery Solution
Place a Hold
Holds
Service
Bib & Item
Services
API
Custom Library Reports
Library Patron Interface
Multiple
Services
Patron
Service
Sierra
Multiple
Services
Fines Payment
Service
Campus or
Library App
Pay Your Fine

6. APIs for Publics: Better Service Models
Library Web site
“What’s new”
“What’s coming”
Mobile App Integration
Populate and update patron account info
Place holds
View and pay fines
Custom staff reports and notifications

7. APIs Connecting Campus Computing
Campus Portal – library channel
Populate with Patron data – course reserves, place holds, view fines, see messages
Student Information System (SIS)
Update Sierra patron data from SIS student records and HR data
Update SIS, Bursar’s office with outstanding library fines and fees

8. APIs Connecting Campus Computing
Learning Management System (LMS)
Populate with Patron info
Present Course Reserves info
Ability to place a hold

9. APIs Connecting Campus Computing
Custom staff reports and notifications
End of term fines purge
Library Web site
New titles feed
Mobile App Integration
Populate and update patron account info
View and pay fines

10. API Roadmap New API updates throughout 2014 and beyond
Transactional APIs
Patron API
Holds API
Key circulation functions
Many more to come

11. What do you want to accomplish with APIs?

12. Companion IUG API Session
Be sure to attend my other session
Extending Sierra with
REST APIs and Sierra DNA

13. Thank You!
Thank You!