Serials Solutions Announces XML API for Central Search
Serials Solutions has announced the availability of an XML API for its federated search engine, Central Search. XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a text-based markup language that is the standard for data interchange on the Web. An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of tools for building software applications. Use of the XML API offers local library technical staff unlimited options for customization and allows them to develop Central Search implementations that are unique to their institutions.
Serials Solutions has been providing Central Search to its customers since its release in 2005 and currently serves more than 200 clients. Serials Solutions co-founder and vice president Stephen McCracken said, "Central Search has seen tremendous adoption by the library community. Central Search leads the industry in numbers of database connections. As more and more ARL and leading research institutions adopt Central Search, they are requesting the ability to further customize the application via a powerful XML gateway."
Libraries that opt to use the Central Search API have complete programmatic control over the application. Development teams can build custom solutions to meet the requirements of local library staff. Additionally, developers are able to embed results in a variety of locations outside the Central Search.
Serials Solutions group product manager JR Jenkins said, "The development of an XML API for Central Search shows once again how carefully we listen to our customers. The adoption rate of our hosted Central Search software has been remarkable, but we wanted to reach those libraries who want to rapidly build custom and innovative solutions for their library. We’ve created an outstanding interface for library development teams and embraced library standards at the same time."
The XML API complies with both of the leading standards in the library community for search and metadata: the SRU/SRW Protocols and the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative. It is available now to all Serials Solutions Central Search subscribers at no additional charge. Serials Solutions will give interested libraries access to API technical documents and a membership in a listserv dedicated to discussion of the API. Serials Solutions asks that a non-disclosure agreement be signed first.
About Serials Solutions
Serials Solutions, part of ProQuest Information and Learning, is the industry-leader providing complete e-resource access and management solutions to over 1700 libraries worldwide. Founded by a librarian for librarians, Serials Solutions helps librarians and patrons find and use electronic content through its Access & Management Suite™ (AMS), Full MARC Records™ service for e-journals, Article Linker™ - Serials Solutions’ comprehensive OpenURL link resolver, Central Search™ - a powerful federated search engine, and ERMS™ - a lifecycle manager for electronic subscriptions.
About ProQuest Information and Learning
ProQuest Information and Learning, a division of ProQuest Company, is a world leader in collecting, organizing, and publishing information worldwide for researchers, faculty, and students in libraries and schools. Known widely for its strength in business and economics, general reference, genealogy, humanities, social sciences, and STM content, the company develops premium databases comprising periodicals, newspapers, dissertations, out-of-print books, and other scholarly information from more than 9,000 publishers worldwide. Users access the information through the ProQuest® Web-based online information system, Chadwyck-Healey™ electronic and microform resources, UMI® microform and print reference products, eLibrary®, SIRS® and Serials Solutions resource management resources. ProQuestSmart® Search was named "Best Specialist Search Product" by the International Information Industry Awards in late 2005. For more information about ProQuest Information and Learning, visit www.il.proquest.com.