Linked Data
Linked Data is about communities agreeing on the meaning of their data and sharing it in a massively networked information space. This vision is taking shape in many sectors, including e-commerce, medicine, scientific research, and government services. OCLC Research is a leader in driving this transformation in the library community.
Current Work
Learn about the most recent OCLC Research developments in Linked Data below. Track the latest developments on Hanging Together: the OCLC Research blog. Even more context about OCLC's work in linked data is provided in the Overview.
On the Way to Library Linked Data
14 September 2021
For more than a decade, OCLC’s Research division has been investigating the tools, standards, workflows, and strategies for making the transition from traditional bibliographic metadata to fully linked data. In this presentation, OCLC Research Software Engineers, Jeff Mixter and Bruce Washburn, will provide a perspective on the promise and potential of library linked data that is framed by OCLC Research’s past work.
21 January 2021
This report shares the CONTENTdm Linked Data Pilot project findings. In this pilot project, OCLC and five partner institutions investigated methods for—and the feasibility of—transforming metadata into linked data to improve the discoverability and management of digitized cultural materials.
OCLC Receives Mellon Grant for Linked Data
OCLC has been awarded a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to develop a shared Entity Management Infrastructure that will support linked data management initiatives underway in the library and scholarly communications community. When complete, this infrastructure will be jointly curated by the community and OCLC and will ultimately make scholarly materials more connected and discoverable on the web.
The two-year grant, for $2.436 million, will support work on the project from January 2020 to December 2021.
Creating Library Linked Data with Wikibase: Lessons Learned from Project Passage
OCLC Research Report
In this report, Project Passage participants provide an overview of the context in which the prototype was developed, how the Wikibase platform was adapted for use by librarians, and eight use cases where pilot participants (co-authors of this report) describe their experience of creating metadata for resources in various formats and languages using the Wikibase editing interface. They also share key issues, findings, reflections, and areas for future research.
OCLC Research Authorities Identitifiers Annotated Bibliography Flyer
A reverse chronological annotated bibliography that provided an overview of OCLC Research’s work on authorities and identifiers.
CONTENTdm Linked Data Pilot
Traditional models of item description have rendered libraries’ digital collections largely invisible on the internet, and thus, hidden from researchers. OCLC is working to shift this paradigm to connect people with the unique digital resources that libraries hold. In this project, OCLC is partnering with libraries to increase end-users’ ability to discover, evaluate, and use the unique digital resources in CONTENTdm repositories.
IIIF: Improving the Interoperability of Digital Materials
IIIF (the International Image Interoperability Framework) is an emerging set of standards for sharing structural metadata about digital materials. Learn more about IIIF and OCLC Research's work with this framework.
2018 International Linked Data Survey for Implementers
Survey
OCLC Research conducted an "International Linked Data Survey for Implementers" in 2014 and 2015, attracting responses from a total of 90 institutions in 20 countries. The survey was conducted again in 2018 and results are now available. Read more.
Analysis of 2018 International Linked Data Survey for Implementers
Journal Article | November 2018
By Karen Smith-Yoshimura
This journal article sumarizes and analyzes the results of the International Linked Data Survey for Implementers.
Published in Code4Lib Journal.
Getting Started
Join the Linked Data Conversation
Find OCLC Research's latest Linked Data ideas, thoughts, data, and projects on our blog Hanging Together.
Related OCLC Research Projects
Publications
Transforming Metadata into Linked Data to Improve Digital Collection Discoverability: A CONTENTdm Pilot Project
21 January 2021
Greta Bahnemann, Michael Carroll, Paul Clough, Mario Einaudi, Chatham Ewing, Jeff Mixter, Jason Roy, Holly Tomren, Bruce Washburn, Elliot Williams
This report shares the CONTENTdm Linked Data Pilot project findings. In this pilot project, OCLC and five partner institutions investigated methods for—and the feasibility of—transforming metadata into linked data to improve the discoverability and management of digitized cultural materials.
Archives and Special Collections Linked Data: Navigating between Notes and Nodes
21 July 2020
OCLC Research Archives and Special Collections Linked Data Review Group
This publication shares the findings from the Archives and Special Collections Linked Data Review Group, which explored key areas of concern and opportunities for archives and special collections in transitioning to a linked data environment.
Utilisation des données liées dans les bibliothèques : de la désillusion à la productivité
9 July 2020
Andrew K. Pace
OCLC has been researching the use of linked data within libraries for more than a decade. It is sometimes difficult to know exactly where the value of linked data lies and what benefits we can derive from it. It is wise, therefore, to consider their usefulness from the point of view of library staff. What does "linked data productivity" mean? What would cataloging linked data change for library staff and end users? This article responds to these questions and provides some perspective on the linked data landscape for libraries.