Source Library

What is Source Library?

Source Library is an MCP server and CLI that searches, reads, and cites 22,000+ rare pre-modern texts (alchemy, Hermetica, Kabbalah, theology, early science) with AI-generated English translations. It provides 12 tools for full-text and semantic search, reading, quoting, image search, duplicate detection, feedback, and sharing findings. No API key is needed.

How to use Source Library?

Install via npm (npm install -g @source-library/mcp-server) or run directly with npx @source-library/mcp-server. For Claude Code, use claude mcp add source-library -- npx -y @source-library/mcp-server. For Claude Desktop, add a JSON entry to the config file. The CLI supports commands like source-library search "philosopher's stone" and source-library text <book_id> --from=1 --to=50.

Key features of Source Library

• 12 tools for search, reading, quoting, and curation
• 22,000+ rare pre-modern texts with AI translations
• Semantic passage search using Gemini embeddings
• 50,000+ book illustrations plus 23,000+ artworks
• Citation URLs and DOIs for published editions
• Duplicate detection before importing books

Use cases of Source Library

• Search for “prima materia” across the collection and compare author treatments
• Read the full translation of Fludd’s History of Both Worlds and summarize its cosmology
• Find all alchemical emblems depicting the ouroboros with source texts
• Locate key passages about the Sun’s centrality in Copernicus’s De Revolutionibus
• Submit feedback or share a research dossier with the Source Library team

FAQ from Source Library

What is the difference between search_translations and search_concept?

search_translations finds literal phrases in translated text; search_concept uses semantic embeddings to find conceptually related passages even when the modern term doesn’t appear.

Do I need an API key to use Source Library?

No, the server works without any API key.

What data does Source Library include?

It includes 22,000+ rare pre-modern texts (alchemy, Hermetica, Kabbalah, theology, early science) and 73,000+ images (book illustrations and standalone artworks from museums).

How are citations handled?

Every page returned includes a citation URL (e.g., https://sourcelibrary.org/book/...?page=57). Published editions have DOIs minted via Zenodo.

What transports and authentication are supported?

The server supports MCP (for Claude Desktop/Code) and a standalone CLI. No authentication is required.