Mashups

= Mashups = toc

Definition
A mashup is a unique combination of data, programs, or applications designed to create a new useful online service. Mashups can be created by combining data from web sites that use open APIs (application programming interfaces),which allow programmers to access and select certain pieces to be re-purposed. For example, data from Google Maps could be combined with data from a social networking site to create an interactive map for various social groups to access (for planning meetings, events, etc.). Mashups can be created by individuals - for example, Wikipediavision was created in 2007 by László Kozma (who was a student at the time), to show where changes to Wikipedia entries originate from, in almost real-time. Mashups can also be created on a much larger scale; Meebo is a privately owned site that lists seven investors, and states on its About page: //"Integrating all social networks and communications channels into a single, simple-to-use// //solution,Meebo enables users to easily share content and communicate in real time with// //the people who matter to them."//

Resources
The book //Library Mashups: Exploring New Ways to Deliver Library Data//, edited by Nicole C. Engard, contains a wealth of information on mashups tailored specifically to librarians. The accompanying website, [|mashups.web2learning.net], contains links all of the applications discussed in the text, as well as a blog and information from presentations conducted by Engard.

Programmable web,[|www.programmableweb.com], provides access to up-to-date, searchable directories of sites with accessible APIs, and of mashups created. The graph below depicts the number of mashups accessible through the site for the last six months:



Examples
As there are now thousands of mashups available, the examples below focus on those which are very relevant to (or created by) libraries and information centers (with the recognition that librarians with interested patrons may want to stay informed of the range of available mashups).

Library Lookup Bookburro Ohio Public Library Information Network (describes the creation of the mashup search tool at Ohio Web Library)

Interesting enough to be included here, Tom Storey writes in his article, //Libraries mash up content, services and ideas//, that the first story hour (1882), and the first library with open stacks (1891), are both prime examples of how libraries are originators of the mashup concept. Included in this article is a description of a library mashup with a physical component - the use of outdoor lockers for pick-up and drop-off of materials.