Implementation of API-based library services at IIT Delhi: research analytics and conversational AI

Purpose Academic libraries need to connect library systems with external platforms to automate workflows, enrich metadata and develop intelligent user services. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) provide an effective mechanism for such integration and seamless exchange of data between different systems. This study aims to describe the potential applications and practical use of APIs to develop research analytics and conversational library services. Design/methodology/approach The article presents practical implementations using the Scopus and OpenAlex APIs for research analytics and the Koha and DSpace REST APIs for developing a conversational library interface. Findings The implementations demonstrate how APIs can extend existing library systems without replacing them, enabling automated research analytics, integrated discovery and conversational access to library resources. Practical implications The paper can help librarians, systems developers and library administrators to explore API-based services using their existing library management systems, repositories and scholarly information sources. Originality/value The article presents practical experiences of using different APIs to develop research analytics and conversational services in an academic library environment.