Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API

Measured conclusion: Deep-tested. L2 outcome: tools_ok.

Agent integration with the Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API

Add to your agent

Copy this into your MCP client config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API": {
      "url": "https://api.dc.library.northwestern.edu/api/v2/mcp",
      "transport": "streamable-http"
    }
  }
}

Measured tools (8)

• search read-only

  Search for works in the Digital Collections using field-based and/or natural language queries. If both a natural language query and specific field values are provided, the natural language query will take priority, using the specified field values as additional constraints. The result will also include a list of aggregations that show how many results match different values for certain fields. For example, you could see how many results match each collection, work type, or visibility and use that information to refine your search. Perform an empty search to retrieve all works and their aggregations. NOTE: Structured field values enclosed in double quotes will be treated as exact, case-sensitive matches, while unquoted values will be treated as full-text searches.

  Parameters:

  • page — number — The page of search results to return
  • query — string — A natural language query. Best for exploratory / conceptual searches.
  • fields — object — Structured field search. Best when searching for specific known items or values, or for narrowing a search by specifying particular fields to search within.
  • max_results — number — The maximum number of search results to return per page
  • public_only — boolean — Only include publicly available works in search results

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• get-work read-only

  Retrieve the full metadata for a work from the NUL Digital Collections.

  Parameters:

  • work_id (required) — string — The ID of the work to retrieve

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• list-collections read-only

  List collection records from the NUL Digital Collections.

  Parameters:

  • page — number — The page of search results to return
  • max_results — number — The maximum number of search results to return per page
  • public_only — boolean — Only include publicly available works in search results

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• similarity-search read-only

  Find works that are similar to a given work. Uses semantic similarity based on work embeddings.

  Parameters:

  • work_id (required) — string — ID of a work to find similar items for.
  • page — number — The page of search results to return
  • max_results — number — The maximum number of search results to return per page
  • public_only — boolean — Only include publicly available works in search results

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• view-work read-only

  View a work from the NUL Digital Collections in an interactive viewer.

  Parameters:

  • work_id (required) — string — The ID of the work to view

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• view-collection read-only

  View a collection from the NUL Digital Collections in an interactive viewer.

  Parameters:

  • collection_id (required) — string — The ID of the collection to view

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• view-search-results read-only

  View results from the search-works tool in an interactive viewer.

  Parameters:

  • page — number — The page of search results to return
  • query — string — A natural language query. Best for exploratory / conceptual searches.
  • fields — object — Structured field search. Best when searching for specific known items or values, or for narrowing a search by specifying particular fields to search within.
  • max_results — number — The maximum number of search results to return per page
  • public_only — boolean — Only include publicly available works in search results

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

• view-similar-works read-only

  View results from the similarity-search tool in an interactive viewer.

  Parameters:

  • work_id (required) — string — ID of a work to find similar items for.
  • page — number — The page of search results to return
  • max_results — number — The maximum number of search results to return per page
  • public_only — boolean — Only include publicly available works in search results

  Hints: read-only yes · destructive no · idempotent yes · open-world no

Repository

Measured by MCPYP probing. Untested fields are omitted, never estimated. Listing is always free; MCPYP never proxies calls or stores user tokens.