Developing a Middleware Platform to Integrate with Library Services Platforms and External Systems

Abstract

The IDS Project, which is comprised of institutions from the State University of NY, the City University of NY, and a variety of other institutions, has created a middleware platform to connect a variety of Ex Libris systems with ILLiad and other technology for the purposes of highly automated and patron-focused resource sharing. As a workflow such as resource sharing depends on a variety of systems, some of which have legacy technology such as Z39.50, and others with modern API access, having a middleware system that can push and pull data back and forth between systems has been crucial in making resource sharing less labor intensive and much faster than before a middleware platform was created. From Aleph to Alma, the middleware platform connects to external systems using the standards or languages required, and then applies customizations to allow for the most effective local solution. We will review the technical infrastructure of IDS Logic as well as Ex Libris integrations.