Standard Interchange Protocol

[From 3M's official documentation]

This protocol provides a standard interface between a library’s Automated Circulation System (ACS) and library automation devices. The protocol was developed originally as an interface between the Automated Circulation System and 3M™ SelfCheck™ system. With the growth of automation in the library, there is an increased need for a standard protocol.

This standard protocol will be applicable to ACS system interfaces to automated devices and services where patron information and/or library material information is required.

Basically what this is trying to say is that the library has a database of patrons and items, usually called an ILS (Intregrated Library System), and SIP is a protocol, i.e. language, by which other systems can talk to the ILS. Usually this interaction is between a self-check station and the ILS.

This is important because the ILS may be in any number of database formats (e.g. SQL, 4D, Oracle, Sybase, etc.) and as long as the database also talks SIP it can talk to any system that talks SIP. This removes the developement requirement for all the self-check manufacturers to work with all the different database types. Furthermore, even if the connecting system could talk directly to the database in its native tongue, there is the potential of corrupting data or accidental deletion which is removed by using an intermediary language.

SIP is currently in its second revision called SIP 2.0. All major ILS vendors and major self-check vendors are SIP 2.0 compliant. SIP was developed by 3M so that its self-check stations could work with all the ILSs. It was then adopted by all the other major self-check manufacturers.

Unfortunately, SIP does not have the ability to handle all the information that libraries want their patrons to have access to and subsequently, the library industry along with NISO (National Information Standards Organization) is developing NCIP (NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol). NCIP is based on SIP and has added capabilities such as enabling the patron to reserve items and perform on-line payments of fines to name a few.