Is there an API for Worldcat?

Worldcat does not offer a public data API for this, but Anakin Wire provides 3 maintained endpoints for worldcat.org. 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 Worldcat 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 worldcat.org changes its markup, Anakin updates the action.

Do I need a Worldcat account?

No. Every Worldcat action listed here runs anonymously — no account and no credentials required.

What does the Worldcat 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.

Research

Worldcat API

worldcat.org

WorldCat - book search, item details, editions, libraries, and subjects.

Actions: 3
Category: Research
Login: Not required
Output: JSON

Get an API key Wire API reference

Call the Worldcat API

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

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_worldcat_org_homepage_browse_ssr",
    "params": {}
  }'

3 actions on worldcat.org

Read

Homepage Browse
act_worldcat_org_homepage_browse_ssrread1 credit / call
Returns featured catalog items with titles, creators, dates, and formats.
Search Facets
act_worldcat_org_search_facetsread2 credits / call
Returns result count and facet counts by format, language, and other dimensions for a query.
search_query
string · required
open_access
string
accept_language
string
preferred_language
string
Topic Browse
act_worldcat_org_topic_browse_ssrread1 credit / call
Returns catalog items for a topic with its title, description, and item links.
topic_slug
string · required

Worldcat API questions

Is there an API for Worldcat?: Worldcat does not offer a public data API for this, but Anakin Wire provides 3 maintained endpoints for worldcat.org. 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 Worldcat 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 worldcat.org changes its markup, Anakin updates the action.
Do I need a Worldcat account?: No. Every Worldcat action listed here runs anonymously — no account and no credentials required.
What does the Worldcat 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.