# Northwestern University Libraries Digital Collections API MCP server

> Enables AI assistants to search, browse, and retrieve metadata and IIIF manifests from Northwestern University's digitized library collections.

- Repository: https://github.com/nulib/dc-api-v2
- Page: https://hostedmcp.org/servers/nulib/dc-api
- Transport: stdio, remote
- Stars: 14
- Latest version: 2.12.0

## Install

### Claude Code

```sh
claude mcp add dc-api -- npx -y @nulib/dc-api-mcp
```

### Cursor (`~/.cursor/mcp.json`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dc-api": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@nulib/dc-api-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code (`.vscode/mcp.json`)

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "dc-api": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@nulib/dc-api-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code CLI

```sh
code --add-mcp '{"name":"dc-api","type":"stdio","command":"npx","args":["-y","@nulib/dc-api-mcp"]}'
```

### Claude Desktop (`claude_desktop_config.json`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dc-api": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@nulib/dc-api-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### Codex

```sh
codex mcp add dc-api -- npx -y @nulib/dc-api-mcp
```

### Codex config.toml (`~/.codex/config.toml`)

```toml
[mcp_servers.dc-api]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "@nulib/dc-api-mcp"]
```

### Gemini CLI

```sh
gemini mcp add -s user dc-api npx -- -y @nulib/dc-api-mcp
```

### Gemini settings.json (`~/.gemini/settings.json`)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dc-api": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@nulib/dc-api-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Tools (8)

- `search`
- `similarity-search`
- `get-work`
- `view-work`
- `list-collections`
- `view-collection`
- `view-search-results`
- `view-similar-works`

## FAQ

### How can I use this server without local installation?

You can connect to the hosted remote endpoint using the streamable HTTP transport.

### What tools are available in this MCP server?

The server provides tools for searching, similarity searching, retrieving work metadata, viewing IIIF manifests, and listing collections.

### How do I configure Claude Desktop to use the remote version?

Add the server configuration to your Claude Desktop config file using the 'http' type and the provided remote URL.