WorldCat Knowledge Base API

Provides developer-level access to a library's information in the WorldCat Knowledge Base, combining data about a library's e-content with access through linking features. Supports OpenURL requests for matching citations and retrieving access links, and REST requests for browsing and searching library subscription resources.

Work with this as data

Every API here is available over the APIs.io API and to AI agents over MCP.

MCP server

One button, every client — Claude, Cursor, VS Code and the rest.

https://apis.io/mcp

Tools for apis

7 MCP tools reach this
  • find_apisBrowse and filter every API in the catalog.
  • get_api_artifactsOne API's artifacts, grouped by type.
  • get_openapiThe primary OpenAPI for this API.
  • find_similar_apisAPIs that look like this one.
  • apis_io_searchSTART HERE — APIs, providers and tags for one query, each with its total.
  • resolveTurn a domain, URL or GitHub org into the provider it belongs to.
  • find_cohortsEvery scored population of providers in the catalog.
All 92 tools

Call it yourself

curl for this page
This API
curl "https://apis.io/api/v1/apis/worldcat-knowledge-base-api"
All apis
curl "https://apis.io/api/v1/apis?limit=25"

Discovery needs no key. Ratings and market analysis are Pro.

Get an API key

Free tier, no email required.

A second provider on the same verified email joins the account you already have.

API entry from apis.yml

apis.yml Raw ↑
aid: worldcat:worldcat-knowledge-base-api
name: WorldCat Knowledge Base API
description: Provides developer-level access to a library's information in the WorldCat Knowledge Base,
  combining data about a library's e-content with access through linking features. Supports OpenURL requests
  for matching citations and retrieving access links, and REST requests for browsing and searching library
  subscription resources.
image: https://kinlane-images.s3.amazonaws.com/shared/apis-json/apis-json-logo.jpg
humanURL: https://www.oclc.org/developer/api/oclc-apis/worldcat-knowledge-base-api.en.html
baseURL: https://worldcat.org/webservices/kb
tags:
- Knowledge Base
- E-resources
- OpenURL
- Libraries
- Subscription
tags_raw:
- Knowledge Base
- E-resources
- OpenURL
- Libraries
- Subscriptions
properties:
- type: Documentation
  url: https://www.oclc.org/developer/api/oclc-apis/worldcat-knowledge-base-api.en.html
contact:
- FN: OCLC Developer Network
  url: https://www.oclc.org/developer/api.en.html
  email: devnet@oclc.org