Is there an API for Open Textbook Library?

Open Textbook Library does not offer a public data API for this, but Anakin Wire provides 5 maintained endpoints for open.umn.edu. You call Anakin's REST API with an action ID and parameters and get structured JSON back; Anakin handles the browser, proxies, anti-bot, and parsing.

How do I scrape Open Textbook Library data?

POST to https://api.anakin.io/v1/wire/task with your API key, the action ID, and its parameters, then poll GET /v1/wire/jobs/{id} until the job settles. There is nothing to install and no scraper to maintain — when open.umn.edu changes its markup, Anakin updates the action.

Do I need a Open Textbook Library account?

No. Every Open Textbook Library action listed here runs anonymously — no account and no credentials required.

What does the Open Textbook Library API cost?

Usage-based credits, charged per call and refunded automatically when a job fails. New accounts start with 300 free credits and no card. See anakin.io/pricing for the current rates.

Education

Open Textbook Library API

open.umn.edu

Open Textbook Library - open textbooks by subject, with details and reviews.

Actions: 5
Category: Education
Login: Not required
Output: JSON

Get an API key Wire API reference

Call the Open Textbook Library API

Submit a task, then poll the job until it settles. This example runs act_open_umn_edu_subject_listing_pagination.

curl -X POST https://api.anakin.io/v1/wire/task \
  -H "X-API-Key: $ANAKIN_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "action_id": "act_open_umn_edu_subject_listing_pagination",
    "params": {
      "subject_slug": "mathematics",
      "page": 2
    }
  }'

5 actions on open.umn.edu

Read

Subject Listing Pagination
act_open_umn_edu_subject_listing_paginationread2 credits / call
Returns additional textbook cards and pagination for a subject beyond the first page.
subject_slug
string · required
page
integer · required
scroll
string
Subject Taxonomy
act_open_umn_edu_subject_taxonomyread1 credit / call
Returns the full subject taxonomy with labels, hierarchy, and textbook counts.
Subject Textbook Listing
act_open_umn_edu_subject_textbook_listingread1 credit / call
Returns textbooks for a subject with titles, publisher, license, and review counts.
subject_slug
string · required
Textbook Details
act_open_umn_edu_textbook_detailread1 credit / call
Returns full textbook details including publisher, license, rating, and reviews.
textbook_slug
string · required
Textbook Library Home
act_open_umn_edu_textbook_library_homeread1 credit / call
Returns the library home page with featured new textbooks and browse links.

Open Textbook Library API questions

Is there an API for Open Textbook Library?: Open Textbook Library does not offer a public data API for this, but Anakin Wire provides 5 maintained endpoints for open.umn.edu. You call Anakin's REST API with an action ID and parameters and get structured JSON back; Anakin handles the browser, proxies, anti-bot, and parsing.
How do I scrape Open Textbook Library data?: POST to https://api.anakin.io/v1/wire/task with your API key, the action ID, and its parameters, then poll GET /v1/wire/jobs/{id} until the job settles. There is nothing to install and no scraper to maintain — when open.umn.edu changes its markup, Anakin updates the action.
Do I need a Open Textbook Library account?: No. Every Open Textbook Library action listed here runs anonymously — no account and no credentials required.
What does the Open Textbook Library API cost?: Usage-based credits, charged per call and refunded automatically when a job fails. New accounts start with 300 free credits and no card. See anakin.io/pricing for the current rates.