Understanding and Using APIs NEASIS&T Winter Conference Schedule

Looking forward to seeing so many of you at our conference on Monday, January 8, 2018! If you haven't had a chance to register, go to our Eventbrite!

Here is the schedule of events:

Understanding and Using APIs
Finding ways to connect information is one of our biggest challenges. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are sets of requirements that govern how one application can talk to another and share data. These capabilities are great for library users and researchers, as well as librarians and staff! Our morning speakers are experts in APIs, and through them you'll understand what APIs are and learn the practical uses of how APIs can enhance your data. In the afternoon session, you'll see hands-on demonstrations and learn about API tools you can bring back to your organization.

Beginners are welcome and encouraged! This is a great chance to see how other librarians are using APIs, and to figure out which applications are useful for you in your organization. And if you already use APIs, here's a great chance to find a community of practice.

Program
8:00 | Coffee and Networking

Morning Keynotes

9:00 | Getting Started with APIs

Amber Stubbs, Assistant Professor, Simmons College

10:15 | Enhancing Content Discovery through APIs

Rob O’Connell, Director of Discovery and Access, Smith College Library

Rob O’Connell has been the Director of Discovery and Access at Smith College since 2013. He was previously the Head of Technical Services at Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates. Rob has been working with APIs and discovery systems for the past 10 years and has created several tools based on their architecture including Smith College's new bento box interface.

11:15 am | Fun & Games with APIs

Jeff Steward, Director of Digital Infrastructure and Emerging Technology, Harvard Art Museums

Jeff Steward directs the museums on the use of a wide range of digital technology. He oversees the collections database, API, and photography studio. For the opening of the new Harvard Art Museums in November 2014, he helped launch the Lightbox Gallery, a public research and development space. Steward has worked at museums with museum data since 1999. Areas of research include visualization of cultural datasets; open access to metadata and multimedia material; and data interoperability and sustainability.

Lunch, provided by NEASIST (Noon - 1:00 pm)

API Demonstrations (1:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
Brad Coffield - APIs for Librarians and Saint Francis University Library

Eben English - Digital Commonwealth

Kayla Hammond - formerly of the Boston Open Data Project

Doug Loynes - OCLC

Martha Meacham - E-utilities from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (the people behind PubMed)
We're sorry to announce that this E-utilities demo is canceled, as of 1/5/18. For people who are interested in this resource, there will be some self-guided activities to explore.

Whitney Christopher & Ian Callahan - Harvard Art Museum

David Moore - WBUR and the NPR API

Bill McKinney, Ellie Collier, David Podboy - EBSCO