OpenNCIP is an open source implementation of the ANSI/NISO Z39.83-2002 NCIP Standard for Circulation Interchange Protocol. Active development began in August 2005. For current status and updates, check the OpenNCIP News Page.
NCIP is a protocol for the exchange of borrower and circulation data between library systems. It allows libraries with disparate database and information management systems to share and control access to resources.
From the standard itself:
The NISO Circulation Interchange Part 1: Protocol (NCIP) defines a set of messages and associated rules of syntax and semantics for use by applications to:
- Perform the functions necessary to lend and borrow items
- Provide controlled access to electronic resources
- Facilitate co-operative management of these functions
The primary application of this standard is to implement:
- Direct Consortial Borrowing
- Through direct consortial borrowing, users of one agency can request and borrow items from another agency within a consortium. NCIP facilitates the transfer of User and Item data between disparate circulation applications, thereby allowing an agency to manage traffic for non-local patrons and/or provide local control of items belonging to another agency.
- Circulation/Interlibrary Loan Interaction
- NCIP facilitates the exchange of circulation data between interlibrary loan (ILL) applications and circulation applications, thereby permitting agencies to use circulation applications to track all loans to a user. Items belonging to the local collection and items borrowed for that User via interlibrary loan can be recorded together in the user's circulation record. Notifications for pickup, listing of charges, overdue notifications, etc., can be handled in the same way, whether items are owned locally or borrowed from another agency. Agencies may also expedite the tracking of items lent via interlibrary loan within their local circulation applications.
- Self-Service Circulation
- Self-service circulation applications allow users to check out or check in desired items without assistance from agency staff. These applications may also support fine/fee transactions and supply user account data from the agency's circulation system.
Visit the Documentation page for links to the complete standard.