Using the API

The OpenURL Gateway is an OpenURL-resolving Web service that allows Web-based applications to provide their end users direct access to full-text articles and other online resources available from libraries. The Gateway effectively delivers "Where Are You From?" resolver services via portable and institution-independent OpenURL links, allowing patrons to discover authoritative library content closer to their point of need.

Easy to implement
Your Web site simply configures its OpenURL facility to utilize the OpenURL Gateway as its resolver. The Gateway recognizes the Internet IP address of an information seeker who has clicked an OpenURL link, and automatically redirects the user's request to the most appropriate institutional resolver registered in the WorldCat Registry.

Streamlined access to full text
Your users enjoy a seamless linking experience from an information source—for instance, a search result with bibliographic data—to a related resource at their home library, such as full-text journals or abstracting, indexing, and citation databases. If they are searching from a recognized network access point, the user can be transparently authenticated and immediately presented the full text of the article. If the user's IP address cannot associated with an OpenURL resolver via the Gateway, the user is directed to the WorldCat.org detailed Web record for the sought resource.

This service is provided by OCLC, which participated in the creation of the OpenURL standard and serves as the designated maintenance agency for the standard.

Service Highlights

• Facilitates an improved linking experience to article full text and other electronic resources maintained by libraries
• Controlled access to authoritative OpenURL data maintained by libraries in the WorldCat Registry
• Seamless access to more than 1,000 registered OpenURL resolvers
• Developers can integrate links to OpenURL targets that are institution-independent

Resources

• Institutions inside and outside the OCLC cooperative create and manage service parameters for their OpenURL resolver(s) in the WorldCat Registry. Their WorldCat Registry profile can include details about their resolver vendor, base URL, authorized IP address ranges and other supporting information. The WorldCat Registry includes details for 1,300 institutional resolvers, including more than 80% of the Academic Research Libraries.
• Individuals unaffiliated with an institution can add the IP address and base URL of their preferred resolver to OCLC's OpenURL Resolver Registry.
• Developers who wish to integrate the OpenURL Gateway into their service can review its XML schema and associated Web services.