KBQuery's Got Your Coverage!

Abstract

KBQuery is a Python script I created that uses the WorldCat Knowledge Base API to automate batch searches of our holdings in the WorldCat knowledge base. The script outputs coverage information which can then be used to support collection management. For example, the script can be used on a list of titles under consideration for cancelation to understand what other avenues the libraries have to access the title (such as an aggregator database or from an open access source). The script can also search on list of entitlements to see if a titles are missing from the KB, so we can identify those missing titles and add them, providing access to those titles.

My lightning talk will give an overview of the script, present some real-world applications for the script, and close by discussion some opportunities to further develop the script.