LibraryAPI
US public libraries and branches near any address, with collections from the IMLS survey
Open source Open in the app JSON README (API)
About
US public libraries and branches near any address, with collections from the IMLS survey
Details
- Kind
- MCP servers
- Topic
- No topic detected
- Publisher
- dev.libraryapi
- Origin
- official
- Category
- ferramentas
- Transport
- local
- Version
- 0.1.2
- Last push
- 2026-08-16T15:38:09Z
- Repository state
- ativo
- Language
- Python
- Added
- 2026-08-29 03:01:30
- Updated
- 2026-08-29 03:01:30
- Origin id
dev.libraryapi/libraryapi-mcp
README
# libraryapi-mcp
<!-- Links this package to its entry in the official MCP registry -->
mcp-name: dev.libraryapi/libraryapi-mcp
MCP server for [libraryapi.dev](https://libraryapi.dev) — US public library data for AI agents.
Expose library lookups as tools to any MCP-compatible AI assistant (Claude, Cursor, Copilot, etc.). Built on the federal IMLS Public Libraries Survey — public domain, commercially usable.
## Installation
```bash
pip install libraryapi-mcp
```
Or run directly with `uvx` (no install needed):
```bash
uvx libraryapi-mcp
```
## Configuration
### Claude Desktop
Add to `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"libraryapi": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["libraryapi-mcp"],
"env": {
"LIBRARYAPI_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
}
}
}
}
```
### Cursor / other MCP clients
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"libraryapi": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["libraryapi-mcp"],
"env": {
"LIBRARYAPI_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
}
}
}
}
```
Get a free API key at [libraryapi.dev](https://libraryapi.dev) — 500 requests/month, no credit card.
## Available Tools
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `find_libraries_near_address` | Find the nearest branches to a US street address |
| `find_libraries_near_coordinates` | Same, but from a lat/lng (skips geocoding) |
| `get_outlet` | Full record for one branch outlet by ID |
| `search_libraries` | Search library *systems* by name, state, or city |
| `get_library` | Full system profile by FSCS ID |
| `get_state_summary` | Statewide library totals |
**Systems vs. outlets:** a *system* is the administrative entity (e.g. "Chicago Public Library"); an *outlet* is an individual branch. Proximity searches return outlets.
## Examples
Once configured, you can ask your AI assistant:
> "What are the three closest public libraries to 350 Fifth Ave, New York?"
> "How many public library branches are there in Vermont, and what's the total collection size?"
> "I'm building a civic app — give me every library branch within 5 miles of downtown Chicago as JSON."
## Data note
The IMLS survey covers locations, collections, staffing, visits, programs, and finances. It reports **hours-open totals** (annual, and per week) but **not daily opening times** — so this API can tell you a branch is open ~45 hours/week, not that it opens at 9am.
## Links
- **Website:** [libraryapi.dev](https://libraryapi.dev)
- **PyPI:** [pypi.org/project/libraryapi-mcp](https://pypi.org/project/libraryapi-mcp)
- **REST API docs:** [libraryapi.dev/docs](https://libraryapi.dev/docs)
## License
MIT