# Open Library

Connects AI tools to the Internet Archive's Open Library catalogue to look up books, inspect author keys, and fetch validated cover URLs.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 99
- Author: 8enSmith
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/8enSmith/mcp-open-library
- Updated: 2026-10-22
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/open-library

## What it does

This server routes queries to the Open Library database. It lets assistants browse titles, subjects, authors, publishers, and identifiers such as ISBN or OLID. Returned payloads arrive as simplified JSON projections rather than untouched API responses. Every operation is strictly read-only.

Seven distinct tools handle searches and detail lookups. The cover and photo handlers inspect the asset upfront so the agent does not receive broken image placeholders. Search paging delivers 10 records by default with a ceiling of 50 per call and an `offset` cap at 1000. Failed queries return an `isError` flag with descriptive text, which lets the client fix its inputs on the next attempt.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add mcp-open-library -- npx -y mcp-open-library
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add open-library -- npx -y mcp-open-library
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "open-library": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "mcp-open-library"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "open-library": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "mcp-open-library"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add open-library npx -y mcp-open-library
```

## When to use it
- look up book editions and publication dates by title
- retrieve verified cover art URLs without broken placeholder links
- fetch author records and portraits using OLID identifiers
- query library entries filtered by subject, author, or publisher

## Example prompts
- Search Open Library for science fiction novels by Philip K. Dick published before 1970.
- Get author details and photo URL for Ursula K. Le Guin using her author key.
- Look up edition details and cover image for ISBN 9780140283334.

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md