Deconstructing NCIP:What is NCIP and Why Should I Care?
Northwest ILL 2012Peter Collins
NCIP is Communication
• Saber qué idioma de la aplicación que necesita para hacer el trabajo
• Know what application language you need to get the job done
Tag It -- Settings
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<h1>NCIP is Easy</h1>
Tag It - Information
Learn more on the<a href=http://www.ncip.info/>NCIP Website</a>
Questions contact:<a href=mailto:[email protected]>Peter Collins</a>
HTML vs XML
• HTML was designed to display data– Think visual web page
• XML was designed to structure, transport, and store data– Think communication and passing information
between systems
Communicating With NCIP
• NCIP is a structured message between two systems– Like passing coded notes in class
• NCIP requires an initiator and a responder– The ILL system is the initiator• Check this item barcode out to this library patron
– The ILS is the responder• Yes/No item checked out
A Bit of History
• Work began in 2002• Defined broad application– Direct Consortial Borrowing– Circulation/Interlibrary Loan Interaction– Self-Service Circulation
• Established 47 message pairs– 47 Messages– 47 Responses
Too Much of a Good Thing
• Report Circulation Status Change• Update Users• Fiscal Transactions• Recalls• Cancel Recall• Delete Items• Delete User
Complexity Limited Application
• Multiple Applications– Self Checkout– ILL– Consortial Borrowing
• Too many message pairs for easy compliance– 47 message pairs
Rethinking NCIP:9 Core Services for ILL
– Lookup Item– Lookup User– Check Out Item– Check In Item– Renew Item
– Accept Item– Request Item– Cancel Request Item– Recall Item
Optimizing Workflow
The BorrowDirect Model– Lookup User Authentication– Check Out Item Shipping– Accept Item Receive Processing• Create Bibliographic and Item Record for
Borrowed Items• Place a Hold for the Patron
–Check In Item Return and Complete Processing
ILLiad 8.3 Addon
• NCIP Version 1 & 2 Successfully Tested– Aleph NCIP version 1– Innovative NCIP version 2
• NCIP Integration for Lending– Ship Item in ILLiad = Check Out Item in ILS– Complete Item in ILLiad = Check In Item in ILS
ILLiad Next Steps
• Accept Item for Inventory Control of Borrowed Books– Slightly More Complex– Need Patron Barcode in ILLiad– Need Location Codes for Pickup Options
NCIP Info Web Site
• http://www.ncip.info/index.html• About NCIP– Relevant Applications– Information About the Protocol
• Documentation– Introduction to NCIP– The Standard– The Schema
Check Out Item Command<xs:element name=“CheckOutItem”> <xs:sequence> <xs:element ref=“InitiationHeader” minOccurs=“0”/> <xs:choice> <xs:element ref=“UserID”/> </xs:choice> <xs:element ref=“ItemID”/> <xs:element ref=“DesiredDateDue”/> </xs:sequence></xs:element>
Check Out Item Response<xs:element name=“CheckOutItemResponse”> <xs:sequence> <xs:element ref=“Problem” maxOccurs=“unbounded”/> <xs:choice> <xs:element ref=“DateDue”/> <xs:element ref=“IndeterminateLoanPeriodFlag”/> <xs:element ref=“NonReturnableFlag”/> </xs:choice> </xs:sequence></xs:element>
XML & HTML Basics
• Open a Statement– In HTML: <a href=– In NCIP XML: <xs:element ref=
• Define Information in “Quotations”• Close the Statement– In HTML: </a>– In NCIP XML: </xs:element>
What Systems Support NCIP?
• Auto-Graphics• Axiell Scandinavia A/S• ExLibris• ILLiad• Innovative Interfaces• Polaris Library Systems• RapidRadio Solutions• Relais International• The Library Corporation
What is NCIP?
A computer language protocol designed to transfer information or commands from one computer system to another
– Communication Protocol for Computers
Why Should I Care?
NCIP will streamline operations, eliminate human error, and manage inventory control of borrowed material
– Increased Efficiency
