"What Books Are Most Borrowed?" AI Finds the Answer Instantly... Launch of Library Information Naru MCP

National Library of Korea Opens AI Integration Features Starting August 26
Utilizing 2.7 Billion Data Records, Including 200 Million Volumes and 2.49 Billion Loan Transactions

The National Library of Korea is opening up approximately 2.7 billion pieces of data accumulated across public libraries nationwide to facilitate more accessible use by artificial intelligence (AI).

The National Library of Korea launched the MCP service of the library big data platform "Library Information Naru" starting on the 26th. Through 16 tools, including popular borrowed books, detailed book information, and library holdings search, users can link AI with data from public libraries nationwide. National Library of Korea

On August 26, the National Library of Korea announced the launch of the MCP (Model Context Protocol) service on the library big data platform, "Library Information Naru." This service connects library data with AI services using a standardized protocol. MCP is a standard integration method designed to link AI models with external data and services.

This new service advances beyond the existing Open API approach, where developers had to understand data structures and invocation methods on their own. By utilizing MCP, AI can directly retrieve and use the library data it needs, thereby streamlining the service development process and reducing development time, according to the National Library of Korea.

Library Information Naru aggregates data related to collections, loans, and operations from approximately 1,600 public libraries nationwide. Currently, about 2 billion book volumes, roughly 42 million members, and approximately 2.49 billion loan records have been accumulated, resulting in a total dataset of around 2.7 billion records. The cumulative number of uses of the existing Open API has also reached 500 million.

Based on this, the National Library of Korea has developed 16 MCP tools, including search for popular loaned books, detailed book information, and holding library lookup. AI companies and developers can leverage these tools for AI chatbots, book recommendation engines, data analysis services, and more.

In the field, libraries can utilize AI to analyze reading trends and collection and loan records by region and age group, applying the results to collection development, program planning, and personalized services. Publishers and bookstores are also expected to use the data to analyze reading demand and usage patterns, which can assist in book recommendations and content planning.

Hyunjoo Lee, Head of Digital Information Planning at the National Library of Korea, stated, "This MCP service lowers the barriers for anyone to easily connect library big data to AI services," adding, "We will continue to support private AI service development and on-site data utilization in libraries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.