---
title: BIBFRAME Ontology Documentation MCP Server
emoji: 📚
colorFrom: blue
colorTo: green
sdk: gradio
sdk_version: "5.0.0"
app_file: app.py
pinned: false
---

# 📚 BIBFRAME Ontology Documentation MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides BIBFRAME ontology documentation for LLMs like Claude. Built with Gradio, this server dynamically loads from the official BIBFRAME ontology at id.loc.gov.

## 🌐 Live Server

**Deployed at:** https://jimfhahn-mcp4bibframe-docs.hf.space  
**MCP Endpoint:** https://jimfhahn-mcp4bibframe-docs.hf.space/gradio_api/mcp/

## ✨ Features

- ✅ **MCP Server**: Full MCP protocol support for LLM integration
- 📚 **Live Ontology Data**: Loads from official BIBFRAME ontology
- 🔍 **Four MCP Tools**:
  - `get_property_info` - Detailed property information with examples
  - `get_class_info` - Class documentation with applicable properties
  - `search_ontology` - Search for properties or classes
  - `get_property_usage` - Context-specific usage information
- 🌐 **Web UI**: Interactive Gradio interface for testing
- ☁️ **Deployed on HF Spaces**: Hosted for free on Hugging Face

## 🚀 Quick Start with Claude Desktop

Add this to your Claude Desktop configuration:

**macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`  
**Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bibframe-docs": {
      "url": "https://jimfhahn-mcp4bibframe-docs.hf.space/gradio_api/mcp/"
    }
  }
}
```

For a hosted version on Hugging Face Spaces:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bibframe-docs": {
      "url": "https://YOUR-USERNAME-mcp4bibframe-docs.hf.space/gradio_api/mcp/sse"
    }
  }
}
```

**Note**: Claude Desktop currently requires the `mcp-remote` bridge for SSE servers:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bibframe-docs": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-remote",
        "http://localhost:7860/gradio_api/mcp/sse"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Deploying to Hugging Face Spaces

1. Create a new Space on [Hugging Face](https://huggingface.co/spaces)
2. Choose "Gradio" as the SDK
3. Push this repository to your Space
4. The MCP server will be available at: `https://YOUR-USERNAME-SPACE-NAME.hf.space/gradio_api/mcp/sse`

### Private Spaces

For private Spaces, add your Hugging Face token:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bibframe-docs": {
      "url": "https://YOUR-SPACE.hf.space/gradio_api/mcp/sse",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR-HF-TOKEN"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## MCP Tools Reference

### get_property_info
```
Get detailed information about a BIBFRAME property from the official ontology.

Args:
    property_uri (str): Full URI or short name (e.g., "bf:assigner" or "assigner")

Returns:
    JSON with property information, domain, range, examples, and usage guidance
```

### get_class_info
```
Get detailed information about a BIBFRAME class from the official ontology.

Args:
    class_name (str): Class name (e.g., "Work", "bf:Work", or full URI)

Returns:
    JSON with class information and applicable properties
```

### search_ontology
```
Search the BIBFRAME ontology for properties or classes matching a term.

Args:
    search_term (str): Term to search for
    search_type (str): Type of search - "properties", "classes", or "all"

Returns:
    JSON with matching properties and/or classes
```

### get_property_usage
```
Get usage information for a property, optionally in the context of a specific class.

Args:
    property_name (str): Property name (e.g., "assigner" or "bf:assigner")
    class_name (str): Optional class context (e.g., "AdminMetadata")

Returns:
    JSON with usage information and examples
```

## Testing with MCP Inspector

```bash
# Install MCP Inspector
npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/inspector

# Test your server
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector http://localhost:7860/gradio_api/mcp/sse
```

## Data Sources

- [BIBFRAME Ontology](https://id.loc.gov/ontologies/bibframe.html) - Official ontology from Library of Congress
- [LC BIBFRAME Profiles](https://github.com/lcnetdev/bfe-profiles) - Application profiles
- [DCTap Validation](https://github.com/bf-interop/DCTap) - Community validation patterns

## Related Projects

- **For SHACL validation**: [mcp4rdf validator](https://huggingface.co/spaces/jimfhahn/mcp4rdf)
- **BIBFRAME Homepage**: https://www.loc.gov/bibframe/
- **BIBFRAME Documentation**: https://www.loc.gov/bibframe/docs/

## License

MIT License - See LICENSE file for details

## Contributing

Contributions welcome! Please open an issue or PR on GitHub.