The Strongest Link: Libraries and Linked Data

Goddard, Lisa and Byrne, Gillian (2010) The Strongest Link: Libraries and Linked Data. D-Lib Magazine, 16 (11/12). ISSN 1082-9873

	[English] MHTML Webpage Archive (mht MIME HTML web archive format supported by most Windows browsers -- Firefox requires UnMHT plugin) - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (212kB)
	[English] Safari Webarchive (web archive format support for Safari browsers (Windows and Mac) and iPAD Safari with the Downloads Lite for iPAD app ) - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (156kB)

Abstract

Since 1999 the W3C has been working on a set of Semantic Web standards that have the potential to revolutionize web search. Also known as Linked Data, the Machine-Readable Web, the Web of Data, or Web 3.0, the Semantic Web relies on highly structured metadata that allow computers to understand the relationships between objects. Semantic web standards are complex, and difficult to conceptualize, but they offer solutions to many of the issues that plague libraries, including precise web search, authority control, classification, data portability, and disambiguation. This article will outline some of the benefits that linked data could have for libraries, will discuss some of the non-technical obstacles that we face in moving forward, and will finally offer suggestions for practical ways in which libraries can participate in the development of the semantic web.

Actions (login required)

View Item