Powerful Content Integration and Research Capabilities
A new set of free XML-based Web APIs, called eXtend, enable ebrary customers
and partners to seamlessly integrate full-text book content and advanced research
functionality using their own interface, existing infrastructure, and brand.
With eXtend, ebrary associates such as academic libraries, universities, and
eLearning companies can provide a richer end user experience and better accessibility.
The APIs, released last month, are already in use by diverse organizations including
Staffordshire University, ITT Technical Institutes, Cyberlibris, R.R. Bowker,
and Blackwell’s Book Services.
eXtend provides access to the high-level building blocks of the ebrary system:
Partners and customers control behavior and display while ebrary provides the
underlying technology. On a basic level, ebrary’s APIs are Internet URLs
that customers can access from their Web sites or programs. These URLs take
a standard, documented form, with optional parameters that customize the instruction
or request. The ebrary system returns result codes or information as formatted
XML. eXtend is designed for intermediate-level Web programmers familiar with
W3C-standard Internet protocols, URLs, XML, and cookies.
“Since integrating ebrary content and research tools within our own Web
site using eXtend, we have seen a significant increase in usage,” said
David Parkes, head of Learning Support and Information Services for Staffordshire
University. “With ebrary’s new APIs, students can now access valuable
book content from leading publishers and take advantage of powerful research
tools from any computer, without leaving the Staffordshire site.”
ebrary’s core business is licensing full-text book databases to libraries
and other institutions worldwide under a simultaneous, multi-user access model.
With eXtend, ebrary customers and partners can integrate all of the ebrary content
to which they subscribe within their own Web sites, portals, or programs. ebrary
also licenses its database technology to organizations that need to distribute
their own content securely online.
Available in multiple academic and general interest subject areas, ebrary databases
contain more than 45,000 full-text books, maps, reports, and other authoritative
documents from over 180 leading academic, trade, and professional publishers.
ebrary is continuously expanding the number of titles in its collections, and
customers receive regular content updates at no additional cost during their
subscription term.
ebrary eXtend enables customers and partners to offer a superior research experience
in an environment that seamlessly integrates with their existing digital resources
and Web properties. Key features include:
- Remote, Single Point Access—End users can access ebrary content through
a specified Web property at any time, from anywhere.
- Single Sign-On—Seamless user authentication removes barriers associated
with multiple data sources, passwords, and other authentication mechanisms.
- Support for OpenURL—ebrary content may be included in OpenURL initiatives,
for example, ebrary may be specified as an available target for an OpenURL
link resolver.
- Support for Federated Search—This feature allows end users to search
seamlessly through ebrary content and multiple data sources. ebrary may be
incorporated as a Z39.50 search participant.
- ebrary Search—The ability to set search parameters, determine types
of searches, and place the search bar on any Web property.
- Localization—Enables the user interface to be offered in English,
Spanish, or Portuguese.
- Bookshelves—A feature allowing the user to create bookshelves and
pre-populate with relevant content.
- Color Modifications—Color scheme customization of many interface
components.
- Customizable Research Tools—Customers can modify the ebrary InfoTools
menu and integrate all online resources. InfoTools enable end users to interact
with every word or phrase in every document.
- “eXtend enables partners and customers to take full advantage of our
content, technology, and capabilities to literally embed ebrary into their
own portals and Web-based services,” said Christopher Warnock, ebrary’s
CEO. “We expect organizations that leverage eXtend to see a higher amount
of usage through better integration and thus realize a greater return on their
investment.”
For more information, visit www.ebrary. com/libraries.