A new way to include videos in your publications is here!

Here on the blog, we show the details of different features that make Calaméo work for you. From virtual libraries to custom viewer themes, we’ve highlighted plenty of ways to bring your digital publications to the next level. But one tool that we haven’t talked about is the Calaméo API and how to use it.

Today we’re taking on the subject of Calaméo’s API. We’ll look at what API is and in particular ways that it can help simplify your digital publishing needs.

Short for Application Programming Interface, an API is the set of protocols that allows a particular program to communicate with a different program. A main advantage of having programs communicate with each other via API is that it removes the need for people to intervene between them.

For example, your business may use software to manage the content of your digital publications and Calaméo to publish them online. By connecting your content management system to Calaméo’s API, you can avoid having to transfer files manually from your software to your Calaméo account for uploading. You can instead configure your software to publish to Calaméo directly.

💡 TIP: To make use of our API, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and code. If you’re not already comfortable with software development, we recommend discussing your specific needs with a professional for best results.

As a PREMIUM or PLATINUM user, you can publish up to 10 documents every 15 minutes or make up to 10,000 requests per hour with our API.

The Calaméo API in practice

It’s easy to see that making smart use of API can be a real timesaver. However, seeing where to get started may not be quite as easy. You might want to use Calaméo’s API if:

• You use your own software for managing content
• You use your own software for managing subscribers
• You use your own monetization system
• You want to monetize your publications on Calaméo

One of our API’s most valuable uses for our publishers is to create a system for selling their digital publications. First, make Subscriber lists to control reader access to their publications. Then, link your publication’s subscriber protections to an external payment program. A simple development will let you collect revenue for individual publications, a series or a period of subscriber access.

How to set up API access

The first step is to be sure you have a Calaméo account! If you don’t yet, you can sign up here for free.

Upgrade your account for API privileges.

Next, create an API key and set its access to the external software you want to connect. This is where you’ll need to begin developing your own code.

Once your API key is configured, all you need to do is consult our list of the Calaméo API’s methods and decide what you need to get done. The exact configuration for publishing, managing subscribers and monetizing content will depend on the programs used by your business.

To sum it up: No matter what you wish to accomplish with your digital publications, Calaméo’s API can be a great resource.

Complete documentation of our API is available in our Developer Resources. Need more help? You can reach us any time at contact@calameo.com.

The Calaméo Library Widget is one of our very favorite ways to share amazing publications online. Besides being simple to set up, the Library Widget offers tons of advantages for digital publishers. That’s why today we’re giving you 10 great reasons to create a virtual library!

Make a collection

Thanks to the Library Widget, gathering all of your digital publications in one place is a piece of cake. No need to embed individual materials on your website or blog one by one; create a virtual library in seconds and display your entire collection on the same page.

Showcase your brand

Because the Library Widget will feature the covers of all included publications, it’s a perfect opportunity to showcase your brand. Let visitors to your site get to know your business through the eye-catching designs of your digital publications!

Encourage browsing

In addition to making your publications easy to discover, the Library Widget makes them easy to browse. Create a virtual library so that your readers can click through to check out any title that interests them, then return to your collection once they’re done.

Easy archive

Have you been publishing your magazine, newsletter or catalogue online for a long time? You can make an archive online in no time with the Calaméo Library Widget. Dust off your digital back issues and present them in a format that’s optimized for exploration.

Organize files

If your business has a wide range of digital publications, from annual reports to eBooks, you may want to create a virtual library for different categories. Luckily, you can organize your materials into Folders and link a separate Library Widget to each group.

Customize the look

With the Calaméo Library Widget, you can customize the look of your virtual library. For example, do you love the fun detail of skeuomorphic design? Choose a faux wood background, drop shadows and flipbook cover. Plus, control the number of shelves, display elements and click-through behavior.

Never update anything

Maybe the best part about the Library Widget is that there’s nothing to update—ever. Once you create a virtual library and share it on your website, your Widget will automatically include any new publications added to its Folder.

Highlight your favorites

There’s more than one way to create a virtual library! First, you can use Folders to organize your own publications in multiple Library Widgets. Next, you can use a Favorites list to bring together must-reads from all over Calaméo and make a digital shelf to share.

Get more data

As every good librarian knows, it’s essential to keep track of which materials are checked out. In other words, you need analytics to follow how may readers are discovering your publications in a Library Widget. They’re built right in on Calaméo: our advanced statistics help you see how your library is performing.

Start a conversation

Most importantly, displaying your digital publications in a Library Widget is a wonderful occasion to build a relationship with visitors to your site. Consider using online forms that allow visitors to sign up for updates, then send subscribers fresh content. Or perhaps you’d like to encourage them to comment on your publications or follow you on social media. Experiment to find out what works best for you!

TIP: Our video tutorial walks you through how to create a virtual library using Calaméo.

In short, there’s no good reason not to create a virtual library for your online publications. The Calaméo Library Widget is a valuable part of any smart digital publishing strategy. Ready to get started? All you need is a free Calaméo account.

We’re standing by to answer your questions! Write to our Support teams at contact@calameo.com and we’ll be happy to help.