Smithsonian Open Access API

Smithsonian Open Access API

The Smithsonian's Open Access program (si.edu/openaccess) makes collection metadata and CC0 images available via a free-key REST API hosted on api.data.gov, alongside a weekly-refreshed GitHub data repository. The FAQ page says: "We have released these images and data into the public domain as Creative Commons Zero (CC0), meaning you can use, transform, and share our open access assets without asking permission from the Smithsonian."

Coverage

Collection metadata and CC0 image links for Smithsonian museums, archives and research units, confirmed live today via the stats endpoint (using api.data.gov's shared public test key). A free api.data.gov key is required for sustained use: "You can access open access metadata and register for an API key via the Smithsonian’s public API hosted on api.data.gov." History start and update frequency: Not stated.

Verdict

Free-key REST API (api.data.gov) and weekly-refreshed GitHub data repository for Smithsonian collection metadata and CC0 image links for museums, archives and research units. Licensed CC0-1.0: "We have released these images and data into the public domain as Creative Commons Zero (CC0), meaning you can use, transform, and share our open access assets without asking permission from the Smithsonian." The FAQ caveats that CC0 covers copyright only: "CC0 only applies to copyright so you may still need someone else’s permission to use a CC0-designated digital asset." Rate limits: api.data.gov's developer manual says: "Limits are placed on the number of API requests you may make using your API key. Rate limits may vary by service, but the defaults are: Hourly Limit: 1,000 requests per hour". It states separate limits for the DEMO_KEY used in the live sample above: "The rate limits for the DEMO_KEY are: Hourly Limit: 30 requests per IP address per hour" and "Daily Limit: 50 requests per IP address per day". Signal Lab links only.