The Strongest Link: Libraries and Linked Data

Abstract

Whether you call it linked data, web 3.0, or the semantic web, the next generation of web technologies is reaching maturity. With major partners like Google, the BBC, and national governments backing the W3C standard, the semantic web is poised to change the way we think about information discovery. Core themes of metadata, collaboration, and interoperability make linked data a natural philosophical match for libraries. Many pieces of the semantic puzzle already exist for libraries: RDF converters for common metadata schemas, linked LCSH and authority data, digital library & bibliographic ontology development, freely available triple stores, and open source tools to support development work. This paper provides an overview of the semantic web vision, outlines core concepts like RDF & OWL in an accessible way, introduces some of the major linked data players, and discusses the ways in which libraries are beginning to create structured data and applications in this new space. Please join us for an overview of the concepts, tools, and metadata that will underpin the next generation of web applications.