PAPI Public Methods

The PAPI service supports public methods. These methods fall into one of the following categories:

  1. Functions that are basic to building a public facing application. Examples include methods like BibGet, BibHoldingsGet and CollectionsGet. These methods allow users to search bibliographic records and retrieve lists of basic objects in the system. These methods require only basic PAPI authorization.

  2. Functions that are specific to a patron's account. Examples include methods like ItemRenew, PatronAccountGet and PatronRegistrationUpdate. These methods allow for features that are in the My Account section of an application. You can identify these methods by the /public/{PatronBarcode}/ route segment. These methods require PAPI authorization with the AccessSecret (or the patron's password).

Using AccessSecret

Patron-specific methods must authenticate over a secure connection with the PAPI service using the AuthenticatePatron method. When you use this method, PAPI exchanges and verifies the patron’s barcode and password only once. If authentication is successful, you receive an AccessSecret, which you can use for the remainder of your operations. For a more secure transaction, use the AccessSecret in place of the patron’s password when building the hash for patron methods.

For more authorization information, see PAPI Web Service Authorization.