Overview / Usage

Access to information and knowledge are fundamental for education and development as well as being an essential requirement for improving the quality of life for people living in regions where the population has not yet reached a high level of economic and social development. Libraries play an important role in the educational and research process. A digital library can provide access to many of the knowledge networks around the world, which is a necessary component of any research experience. Thus the need for The Librarian Skill for Alexa.

The Librarian skill uses WorldCat Search API to grab bibliographic metadata and library location information and uses it to answer voice commands. WorldCat is the world's largest network of library content and services. WorldCat libraries are dedicated to providing access to their resources on the Web, where most people start their search for information.

Sample Voice User Interaction:
User: Alexa, launch The Librarian.
Alexa: Ask me to...

1. Search many libraries at once for an item and then locate it in a library nearby
2. Find books, music, and videos to check out
3. Find research articles and digital items (like audiobooks) that can be directly viewed or downloaded
4. Link to "Ask a Librarian" and other services at your library
5. Post your review of an item, or contribute factual information about it

User: Where can I find " Single variable calculus "?
Alexa: The closest library where you can find " Single variable calculus " by Stewart, James is Stellenbosch University Library, Stellenbosch, 7602 South Africa.
Alexa: Do you need the directions to the Library?
User: Yes.
Alexa: Opens up World Cat Link in Web browser of choice: https://www.worldcat.org/title/single-variable-calculus/oclc/919473157&referer=brief_results

Methodology / Approach

The project is developed using an Intel-based machine, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Lambda and Alexa Skills Kit (ASK) a collection of self-service APIs and tools to build Alexa Skills.
The project also uses WorldCat Search API to retrieve bibliographic records for cataloged items such as books, videos, music and more in WorldCat.

Technologies Used

Intel Core i7 8th Gen
Intel HD Graphics
Amazon Web Services
Windows 10
MS Visual Studio 2019
WorldCat Search API