Serapeum Multi-Catalog Bibliographic Search

SRU (Search/Retrieve via URL) is a standard protocol for internet search queries using CQL (Contextual Query Language). The plugin communicates directly with official library APIs to pull real-time bibliographic data without storing external databases on your server.

No. It is completely standalone and built as a lightweight, single-file PHP solution utilizing native WordPress functions (wp_remote_get, wp_insert_post, etc.).

The plugin includes built-in endpoint configurations for BnF (France), Hispana (Spain), DNB (Germany) and Library of Congress (USA).

You can perform targeted queries using Book Title, Author / Creator, and Year of Publication. You can search using any single field or combine multiple fields for precise CQL query results.

Each institution uses specific indexes and operators (e.g., bib.title, dc.title, or tit). The plugin automatically maps your search fields to the correct CQL schema and operator (= or all) required by the selected library.

Next to each record in the search results, click the \”Import as WP Draft\” button. The plugin automatically generates a new WordPress Draft Post pre-filled with the title and structured metadata.

Records are formatted natively using Gutenberg Block Columns (30% width for metadata keys and 70% width for values). This ensures a clean, modern layout that fits seamlessly with your theme without requiring shortcodes or custom stylesheets.

Yes. Upon importing, a direct link (\”Edit post #ID\”) will appear at the top of the page. Clicking it opens the standard WordPress Block Editor, allowing you to add featured images, tags, categories, or custom text before publishing.

Yes! You can export your search results in BibTeX (.bib) format, which is fully compatible with reference management software like Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote.

The CSV file includes key metadata fields: ID, Title, Creator/Author, Identifier/ISBN, Publisher, Date, Type, and Language.

No. Export files are generated on-the-fly directly from the active search session memory and downloaded straight through your browser.

Access is restricted to users with editors and administrators privileges (manage_options capability) to ensure security and prevent unauthorized draft generation.

Once activated, a menu item labeled \”Serapeum\” (with a book icon) will appear in your left-hand WordPress admin menu.

Yes. To ensure fast response times and prevent HTTP timeouts, the plugin fetches up to 100 records per query and displays them paginated at 20 records per page.

This plugin is designed as a backend management tool for editors and administrators. However, once you import records as draft posts and publish them, they become visible to your site visitors as standard WordPress posts.

Remote library servers (like DNB) may occasionally experience temporary downtime or rate-limiting. If a query times out, wait a few moments and try refining your search with specific terms.

This happens if the remote library returns invalid formatting or blocks the request. Ensure your server firewall allows outgoing HTTP requests (wp_remote_get) and that the PHP SimpleXML extension is active.

Search terms must match the specific catalog\’s index rules. Try searching with broader terms (e.g., entering only the author\’s surname or a key word from the title).

Yes. The plugin is designed with “Privacy by Design” principles. It operates strictly in the WordPress backend and does not collect, track, or store any personal data from your website’s front-end visitors.

All search queries are executed via secure Server-to-Server requests (wp_remote_get). The remote library APIs only see the IP address of your website’s hosting server, never the personal IP address of the editor or the end-user. No data is shared with third parties until an editor explicitly clicks “Import as WP Draft” to save the bibliographic metadata locally in your database.