Helsinki University Library opens its data
Majority of data available in JSON format on the new web service
The majority of data from the Helsinki University Library is available via the web service: http://api.hulib.helsinki.fi. The service contains data about library opening hours as well. Citizens and businesses can retrieve the library's data from the service for personal or commercial purposes. With the release of the data, the library hopes to see the development of new mobile services based on their data.
Helsinki University Library has long been a pioneer in the application of information technology, but the current closed library system prevents the library catalogue data from appearing in search engines such as Google. The current system is a closed system, whereas the upcoming new library system should have built-in support for open APIs.
More data will be made available via the web service in the future.