Monday, January 8, 2018 from 8am to 4pm
Finding ways to connect information is one of our biggest challenges. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are sets of requirements that govern how one application can talk to another and share data. These capabilities are great for library users and researchers, as well as librarians and staff! The morning sessions will be conducted by speakers who are experts in APIs, and through them you’ll understand what APIs are and learn the practical uses of how APIs can enhance your data. In the afternoon session, you’ll see hands-on demonstrations and learn about API tools you can bring back to your organization.
If you’re new to APIs, here’s a chance to learn what they are and how they can help you. Beginners are welcome and encouraged to attend! And if you already use APIs, here’s a great chance to find a community of practice.
Visit the Eventbrite page (http://bit.ly/2AdQQHi) to register for this event. There are 18 free spots for students, which will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to submit a request for one of these free spots, please send an email to [email protected] and we will reply back, providing you with the necessary code so that you can get a free spot (of course, assuming that 18 free spots have not yet been given out).
Click here to view the event flyer.
Program Outline
Morning Keynotes
9:00 AM | Getting Started with APIs
Amber Stubbs, Assistant Professor, Simmons College
10:15 AM | Enhancing Content Discovery through APIs
Rob O’Connell, Director of Discovery and Access, Smith College Library
Rob O’Connell has been the Director of Discovery and Access at Smith College since 2013. He was previously the Head of Technical Services at Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates. Rob has been working with APIs and discovery systems for the past 10 years and has created several tools based on their architecture including Smith College’s new bento box interface.
11:15 AM | Fun & Games with APIs
Jeff Steward, Director of Digital Infrastructure and Emerging Technology, Harvard Art Museums
Jeff Steward directs the museums on the use of a wide range of digital technology. He oversees the collections database, API, and photography studio. For the opening of the new Harvard Art Museums in November 2014, he helped launch the Lightbox Gallery, a public research and development space. Steward has worked at museums with museum data since 1999. Areas of research include visualization of cultural datasets; open access to metadata and multimedia material; and data interoperability and sustainability.
Lunch, provided by NEASIST (Noon – 1:00 pm)
API Demonstrations (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
Eben English – Digital Commonwealth
Kayla Hammond – Boston Open Data Project
Doug Loynes – OCLC
Martha Meacham – E-utilities from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (the people behind PubMed)
Whitney Christopher & Ian Callahan – Harvard Art Museum
David Moore – WBUR and the NPR API
Bill McKinney, Ellie Collier, David Podboy – EBSCO
We look forward to seeing you at this event!
If you have any questions regarding this event, feel free to send us an email at [email protected].