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LibraryAPI

Official registry Other

US public libraries and branches near any address, with collections from the IMLS survey

Source code Website Documentation

Install

Add this to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop: claude_desktop_config.json; Cursor: .cursor/mcp.json; VS Code and others use the same "mcpServers" shape).

PYPI package libraryapi-mcp
Claude Code 
claude mcp add libraryapi -e 'LIBRARYAPI_KEY=<your libraryapi_key>' -- uvx libraryapi-mcp==0.1.3
JSON configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code) 
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "libraryapi": {
            "command": "uvx",
            "args": [
                "libraryapi-mcp==0.1.3"
            ],
            "env": {
                "LIBRARYAPI_KEY": "<your libraryapi_key>"
            }
        }
    }
}

Environment variables

  • LIBRARYAPI_KEY required secret API key from https://libraryapi.dev (free tier: 500 requests/month)

Documentation

From the project's README on GitHub, refreshed weekly. Links open on GitHub.

Contents
  1. libraryapi-mcp
  2. Installation
  3. Configuration
  4. Available Tools
  5. Examples
  6. Data note
  7. Links
  8. License

libraryapi-mcp

mcp-name: dev.libraryapi/libraryapi-mcp

MCP server for libraryapi.dev — US public library data for AI agents.

Expose library lookups as tools to any MCP-compatible AI assistant (Claude, Cursor, Copilot, etc.). Built on the federal IMLS Public Libraries Survey — public domain, commercially usable.

Installation

pip install libraryapi-mcp

Or run directly with uvx (no install needed):

uvx libraryapi-mcp

Configuration

Claude Desktop

Add to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "libraryapi": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["libraryapi-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "LIBRARYAPI_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
Cursor / other MCP clients
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "libraryapi": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["libraryapi-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "LIBRARYAPI_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Get a free API key at libraryapi.dev — 500 requests/month, no credit card.

Available Tools

ToolDescription
find_libraries_near_addressFind the nearest branches to a US street address
find_libraries_near_coordinatesSame, but from a lat/lng (skips geocoding)
get_outletFull record for one branch outlet by ID
search_librariesSearch library systems by name, state, or city
get_libraryFull system profile by FSCS ID
get_state_summaryStatewide library totals

Systems vs. outlets: a system is the administrative entity (e.g. "Chicago Public Library"); an outlet is an individual branch. Proximity searches return outlets.

Examples

Once configured, you can ask your AI assistant:

"What are the three closest public libraries to 350 Fifth Ave, New York?"

"How many public library branches are there in Vermont, and what's the total collection size?"

"I'm building a civic app — give me every library branch within 5 miles of downtown Chicago as JSON."

Data note

The IMLS survey covers locations, collections, staffing, visits, programs, and finances. It reports hours-open totals (annual, and per week) but not daily opening times — so this API can tell you a branch is open ~45 hours/week, not that it opens at 9am.

License

MIT

Frequently asked questions

What is LibraryAPI?

US public libraries and branches near any address, with collections from the IMLS survey

How do I install LibraryAPI?

It runs on your machine. In Claude Code: claude mcp add libraryapi -e 'LIBRARYAPI_KEY=<your libraryapi_key>' -- uvx libraryapi-mcp==0.1.3. For other clients, paste the JSON configuration from this page into their MCP settings.

Does LibraryAPI need an API key?

Yes. It expects LIBRARYAPI_KEY, which you set in its configuration.

Is LibraryAPI open source?

Its code is public on GitHub, but the repository does not declare a standard license.

Who maintains LibraryAPI?

It is published by library-api. AI.tn lists it but does not maintain or endorse it.

From the official MCP Registry. Listing is not an endorsement: review a server's code and permissions before giving it access to your data.