# OverDrive Libby Library Availability Scraper (`jungle_synthesizer/overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper`) Actor Scrape ebook and audiobook availability from any public library's OverDrive/Libby catalog. Provide library slugs and search queries — get real-time copy counts, holds, wait times, and full metadata. The digital-circulation signal publishers and authors can't source elsewhere. - **URL**: https://apify.com/jungle\_synthesizer/overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [BowTiedRaccoon](https://apify.com/jungle_synthesizer) (community) - **Categories:** Education, Business - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing Pay per event This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## OverDrive Libby Library Availability Scraper Scrape real-time ebook and audiobook availability from any public library's OverDrive/Libby catalog. Provide one or more library slugs (e.g. `lapl` for LA Public Library, `nypl` for New York Public Library) and search queries — the actor returns copy counts, holds, estimated wait times, and full metadata for every matching title. ### What you get Each output record contains: | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | `library` | Library slug (e.g. `lapl`) | | `query` | Search query that returned this title | | `title` | Book title | | `subtitle` | Subtitle (if present) | | `creators` | Pipe-separated authors/narrators with roles | | `media_type` | `ebook` or `audiobook` | | `formats` | Pipe-separated format IDs (e.g. `ebook-overdrive \| ebook-kindle`) | | `isbn` | ISBN from the primary format | | `publisher` | Publisher name | | `publish_date` | Publication date (YYYY-MM-DD) | | `subjects` | Pipe-separated subject categories | | `languages` | Pipe-separated language names | | `availability_status` | `available` or `waitlist` | | `owned_copies` | Number of copies the library owns | | `available_copies` | Copies currently available to borrow | | `holds_count` | Number of holds in the queue | | `estimated_wait_days` | Estimated wait in days (0 if available now) | | `cover_url` | Cover image URL (300 px wide) | | `sample_url` | Free sample URL (if available) | | `detail_url` | Direct link to the title on Libby | | `reserve_id` | OverDrive internal ID (UUID) | ### Input | Parameter | Type | Required | Description | |-----------|------|----------|-------------| | `libraryIds` | array | Yes | OverDrive library slugs (e.g. `["lapl", "nypl"]`) | | `queries` | array | Yes | Search terms (e.g. `["Stephen King", "fiction"]`) | | `maxItems` | integer | No | Max total records to return (0 = unlimited) | #### Finding your library's slug The slug is the short identifier in your library's OverDrive/Libby URL. Examples: - Los Angeles Public Library: `lapl` - New York Public Library: `nypl` - Chicago Public Library: `chipublib` - Toronto Public Library: `torontopubliclibrary` Open [libbyapp.com](https://libbyapp.com), sign in, and find the slug in the URL after `/library/`. ### Example input ```json { "libraryIds": ["lapl", "nypl"], "queries": ["Stephen King", "science fiction"], "maxItems": 200 } ```` This returns up to 200 results from both LAPL and NYPL for both queries — every combination. ### Use cases - **Publishers & authors** — Track copy counts and holds across library systems to gauge demand for your titles - **Library analytics** — Compare collection depth across multiple libraries - **Reading research** — Find which libraries have a title available now vs. waitlisted - **Market research** — Identify which genres or authors have the most library demand ### Notes - Uses the public OverDrive thunder API — no authentication or API key required - The API is rate-polite by default (~2 requests/second) - Results reflect real-time availability at the time of the run - Multi-library × multi-query runs fetch every combination (e.g. 3 libraries × 4 queries = 12 API streams) # Actor input Schema ## `sp_intended_usage` (type: `string`): Please describe how you plan to use the data extracted by this crawler. ## `sp_improvement_suggestions` (type: `string`): Provide any feedback or suggestions for improvements. ## `sp_contact` (type: `string`): Provide your email address so we can get in touch with you. ## `libraryIds` (type: `array`): List of OverDrive library slugs to scrape (e.g. "lapl" for LA Public Library, "nypl" for New York Public Library). Find slugs at libbyapp.com. ## `queries` (type: `array`): Search terms to query within each library catalog (e.g. "fiction", "Stephen King"). Results are fetched for every combination of library × query. ## `maxItems` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of records to scrape across all libraries and queries (0 = unlimited). ## Actor input object example ```json { "sp_intended_usage": "Describe your intended use...", "sp_improvement_suggestions": "Share your suggestions here...", "sp_contact": "Share your email here...", "libraryIds": [ "lapl" ], "queries": [ "fiction" ], "maxItems": 10 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): No description # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "sp_intended_usage": "Describe your intended use...", "sp_improvement_suggestions": "Share your suggestions here...", "sp_contact": "Share your email here...", "libraryIds": [ "lapl" ], "queries": [ "fiction" ], "maxItems": 10 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("jungle_synthesizer/overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "sp_intended_usage": "Describe your intended use...", "sp_improvement_suggestions": "Share your suggestions here...", "sp_contact": "Share your email here...", "libraryIds": ["lapl"], "queries": ["fiction"], "maxItems": 10, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("jungle_synthesizer/overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "sp_intended_usage": "Describe your intended use...", "sp_improvement_suggestions": "Share your suggestions here...", "sp_contact": "Share your email here...", "libraryIds": [ "lapl" ], "queries": [ "fiction" ], "maxItems": 10 }' | apify call jungle_synthesizer/overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=jungle_synthesizer/overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "OverDrive Libby Library Availability Scraper", "description": "Scrape ebook and audiobook availability from any public library's OverDrive/Libby catalog. Provide library slugs and search queries — get real-time copy counts, holds, wait times, and full metadata. The digital-circulation signal publishers and authors can't source elsewhere.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "l2klQ7lmJC1KrVotk" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/jungle_synthesizer~overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-jungle_synthesizer-overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/jungle_synthesizer~overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-jungle_synthesizer-overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/jungle_synthesizer~overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-jungle_synthesizer-overdrive-libby-library-availability-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "libraryIds", "queries" ], "properties": { "sp_intended_usage": { "title": "What is the intended usage of this data?", "minLength": 1, "type": "string", "description": "Please describe how you plan to use the data extracted by this crawler." }, "sp_improvement_suggestions": { "title": "How can we improve this crawler for you?", "minLength": 1, "type": "string", "description": "Provide any feedback or suggestions for improvements." }, "sp_contact": { "title": "Contact Email", "minLength": 1, "type": "string", "description": "Provide your email address so we can get in touch with you." }, "libraryIds": { "title": "Library IDs", "type": "array", "description": "List of OverDrive library slugs to scrape (e.g. \"lapl\" for LA Public Library, \"nypl\" for New York Public Library). Find slugs at libbyapp.com.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "queries": { "title": "Search Queries", "type": "array", "description": "Search terms to query within each library catalog (e.g. \"fiction\", \"Stephen King\"). Results are fetched for every combination of library × query.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "maxItems": { "title": "Max Items", "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of records to scrape across all libraries and queries (0 = unlimited).", "default": 100 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```