Collecting Cultural Heritage Data with the DPLA API

Are you wondering if there’s a better way to collect information from digital archives, libraries, and museum collections than downloading items one by one? In this workshop, we will explore how to take advantage of API services provided by cultural institutions using Python to collect and structure data and digital artifacts. Using open cultural heritage data from the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), participants will retrieve a sample of digital objects and relevant metadata, simulating a real research scenario. The session introduces key concepts such as pagination, filtering, and basic data inspection, with a focus on realistic data collection workflows. This workshop was part of the UC Love Data Week 2026 program (https://uc-love-data-week.github.io/2026/)