Open Library MCP Server
Server Configuration
Describes the environment variables required to run the server.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No arguments | |||
Instructions
Guidance the server publishes about itself, which clients place ahead of the tool catalog so the model reads it before choosing anything.
This server publishes no instructions, or was last inspected before Glama recorded them.
Capabilities
Features and capabilities supported by this server
Protocol revision2025-11-25
| Capability | Details |
|---|---|
| tools | {
"listChanged": true
} |
Tools
Functions exposed to the LLM to take actions
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| search_booksA | Search Open Library for books by title, author, or keyword |
| get_work_detailsB | Get details for a book work by its Open Library work ID |
| get_author_profileB | Get an author profile by Open Library author ID |
| get_editionsB | Get editions of a book work by its Open Library work ID |
| get_author_worksA | Get the bibliography (list of works) for an author by Open Library author ID |
| get_subject_insightsB | Get books and trends for a subject/topic on Open Library (e.g. science_fiction) |
| get_book_ratingsB | Get aggregate reader ratings for a book work (average score and star counts) |
| search_authorsC | Search for authors by name on Open Library |
| get_book_details_by_isbnC | Retrieve detailed information for a book using its ISBN |
| read_book_snippetB | Search inside books and return text snippets when available |
| compare_booksB | Compare two books side by side using their Open Library work IDs |
| get_book_summaryA | Get a concise summary of a book's metadata from its Open Library work ID |
Prompts
Interactive templates invoked by user choice
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
No prompts | |
Resources
Contextual data attached and managed by the client
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
No resources | |
TDQS
Scored across 12 tools
Each tool targets a distinct resource or operation: search, author, book, editions, ratings, comparisons, subject insights, and snippets. The inputs vary (ISBN, work ID, author ID) and descriptions clarify boundaries, so an agent should rarely confuse them.
Most tools follow a 'get_' prefix followed by the resource, but there are three exceptions: 'search_books', 'search_authors' (using 'search_'), 'compare_books' (using 'compare_'), and 'read_book_snippet' (using 'read_'). This minor inconsistency prevents a perfect score.
With 12 tools, the set covers searching, retrieval of detailed metadata, ratings, editions, comparisons, and reading snippets. This is well-scoped for a book database API without being excessive.
The tools provide comprehensive read-only access to Open Library: authors, works, editions, ratings, subjects, and text snippets. There are no obvious dead ends; all major query needs are addressed, especially given the server's read-only nature.