VuFind Documentation

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====== Connecting to Third-Party Content ======

In addition to loading content into its own internal index, VuFind can also communicate with third-party services to pull in additional information.

===== BrowZine =====
Journal information can be searched through [[http://thirdiron.com/|BrowZine]] starting with VuFind 4.1. Copy the [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/blob/dev/config/vufind/BrowZine.ini|BrowZine.ini]] file into your [[configuration:local_settings_directory|local settings directory]] and fill in the necessary details. The comments in the file will guide you. Once configured, searches can be performed at <nowiki>http://your-server/vufind/BrowZine</nowiki>. The BrowZine module is most useful in combination with [[configuration:combining_search_types|combined searching]].

===== EBSCO =====

EBSCO content can be accessed with either the [[https://www.ebscohost.com/discovery|EDS (EBSCO Discovery Service)]] or [[http://support.ebsco.com/eit/|EIT (EBSCO Integration Toolkit)]] module. The EIT service is deprecated, so EDS is recommended when possible. Each service has its own .ini file in VuFind's configuration directory which can be edited to activate the appropriate module of VuFind. Searches can then be performed at <nowiki>http://your-server/vufind/EDS</nowiki> or <nowiki>http://your-server/vufind/EIT</nowiki>, as appropriate.

===== LibGuides =====
Your LibGuides can be searched in VuFind starting with VuFind 2.3. Copy the [[https://github.com/vufind-org/vufind/blob/dev/config/vufind/LibGuides.ini|LibGuides.ini]] file into your [[configuration:local_settings_directory|local settings directory]] and fill in the necessary details. The comments in the file will guide you. Once configured, searches can be performed at <nowiki>http://your-server/vufind/LibGuides </nowiki>. The LibGuides module is most useful in combination with [[configuration:combining_search_types|combined searching]].

===== Overdrive =====
Content from [[https://www.overdrive.com/|Overdrive]] can be incorporated into your catalog. See the [[configuration:overdrive|Overdrive Configuration]] page for more details.

===== Primo Central =====

Ex Libris [[http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/category/PrimoCentral|Primo Central]] content can be accessed by modifying the Primo.ini file in VuFind's configuration directory and going to <nowiki>http://your-server/vufind/Primo</nowiki>.

===== Summon =====

To search [[http://www.serialssolutions.com/discovery/summon/|Serials Solutions' Summon]] through the VuFind interface, you will need to enable Summon in the VuFind configuration file to enable this functionality.

  * Uncomment the [Summon] section of [[configuration:files:config.ini]] file.
  * Advanced settings can also be customized in [[configuration:files:summon.ini|Summon.ini]] file.

To access the Summon service in your VuFind installation, add "/Summon/Home" to the VuFind base URL.  Presently, the Summon module stands alone -- you will have to build custom menus and search boxes if you want to more tightly integrate it with other VuFind modules.  Visit [[http://vufind.org/jira/browse/VUFIND-484|this JIRA ticket]] if you would like a copy of the custom code used for [[https://library.villanova.edu/Find|Villanova's VuFind + Summon integration]].

===== WorldCat =====

To search items held at other libraries via [[http://www.worldcat.org/affiliate/tools?atype=wcapi|OCLC's WorldCat Search API]], you will need to take the following steps:

  * Uncomment the [WorldCat] section of the [[configuration:files:config.ini]] file
  * Advanced settings can also be customized in [[configuration:files:worldcat.ini|WorldCat.ini]] file.

WorldCat content can be accessed by adding "/WorldCat/Home" to your VuFind base URL.  Presently, the WorldCat module stands alone -- you will have to build custom menus and search boxes if you want to more tightly integrate it with other VuFind modules.

===== Mixing and Matching =====

See the [[configuration:combining_search_types|Combining Search Types]] page for details on combining results from multiple sources.

If you want to use VuFind as a custom interface for one of these services, but you do not need to also maintain a local Solr instance, see [[configuration:using_vufind_without_solr|Using VuFind Without Solr]].
===== Other Providers =====

Any content provider with an API can potentially be integrated with VuFind. See [[development:howtos:connecting_a_new_external_data_source|Connecting a New External Data Source]] for more information on how to build a VuFind connector. Feel free to reach out to the community through the [[https://vufind.org/vufind/support.html|support page]] if you want to begin a project to support a new service.