An API to talk to libraries developed at Brumhack 4.0. We're planning to support SirsiDynix Enterprise and WebPAC PRO - support for other library software will be added as requested.

This specification should not be considered final - please feel free to make suggestions.

This represents a physical library. It's actually provided by different classes depending on the software which the library uses.

__init(url)__ - create the object by passing the url for the library catalogue (e.g. https://rdg.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/main, https://library.aston.ac.uk/). Magic will figure out what software the library is running and load appropriate functions into the library class. This should also create the variable self.authenticated, and set it to False.

Provides functions like:

• login(userid, password) - accepts login credentials. On success self.authenticated is set to True, and True is returned.
• search(query=None, title=None, author=None, ean=None) - performs a search, returning a (potentially empty) list of items. Optionally, search only within the title, author, or ean attributes.
• get_item(id) - gets an item, where the id is an EAN (ISBN-13) or implementation-specific id.

Once authenticated using login, the following functions can also be used (attempting to use them without authenticating - i.e. when not self.authenticated - will raise NotAuthenticatedError:

• list_items() - returns a list of items the borrower has.
• list_reservations() - returns a list of reservations the borrower has placed.
• renew(id) - accpets an EAN (ISBN-13) or implementation-specific ID, returns true if the item was successfully renewed, returns false otherwise.
• renew_all() - renews all the items a borrower has.

A dictionary with the following keys:

• A string containing the EAN / ISBN-13 (or an implementation specific id - something that makes it possible to use get_item for more information).
• A string containing the title.
• A list of strings containing the name(s) of the author(s) / artist(s) / key actor(s).
• A string containing the type of item in lower case (one of: academic_paper, audio, book, ebook, ejournal, electronic, journal, map, other, score, video).

A dictionary with the following keys:

• A string containing the EAN / ISBN-13.
• A string containing an ID for the specific copy that the borrower has.
• A date object containing the due date.
• An integer containing the nubmer of times

A dictionary with the following keys:

• A string containing the EAN / ISBN-13.
• An integer containing your position in the queue (with zero meaning the item is available for collection).

This refers to an item. While the item is held by a library as-per the copies (and hance library specific), other similar items migth be available from other libraries. optional values might return NoneType if the data isn't available.

A dictionary with the following keys:

• author - a list of strings containing the name(s) of the author(s) / artist(s) / key actor(s).
• call_number - the call number where the book can be found.
• copies - a list of dictionaries with the following keys:
  • location - the location (building and call number) where the copy is stored.
  • type - an implementation specific string representing the type of loan.
  • available - True if the copy of the item is available. False otherwise.
  • due - only populated if available is False. The date that the book is due back (as a date object).
• copies_available - the number of copies available.
• copies_total - the number of copies the library owns.
• date_of_publication - a date object containing the date of publication - the year must be accurate but the other parts are optional.
• ean - the EAN (or ISBN, if you prefer).
• edition (optional) - the edition of the publication (integer - so 1 not 1st).
• issue (optional) - the issue of the publication.
• notes (optional) - any other notes).
• place_of_publication (optional) - the place of publication.
• publisher - the name of the publisher / label / studio.
• reservations (optional) - the number of unfufilled reservations.
• summary (optional) - the summary, such as the abstract or blurb.
• title - the title of the item.
• type - the type of item in lower case (one of: academic_paper, audio, book, ebook, ejournal, electronic, journal, map, other, score, video).
• url (optional) - the URL associated with the item.
• volume (optional) - the volume of the publication.