OCLC Linked Data Roundtable event IFLA 2012

Making The Connection Linked Open Data at the British LibraryNeil WilsonHead, Metadata Servicesneil.wilson@bl.uk

British Library Metadata Services The BL has a long history of supplying metadata to: Increase visibility of BL holdings & connect users to content Contribute to collaborative cataloguing initiatives Support free and priced bibliographic services 2

Changing Environment The Web - fostered expectation information should be open to all Data has new value - from open technologies enabling rapid connection & reuse ‘Open + Data’ drives strategies for :  Transparency  Economic growth  Research & discovery

Changing Environment Public Sector Open Data Rating★ Available on Web + open licence★★ + machine-readable★★★ + non-proprietary format★★★★ + W3C open standards★★★★★ + link to others data

Linked Data Potential Benefits for Libraries Improved web integration of resources - increasing visibility & reaching new users A global pool of reusable data - for libraries to add unique value New library leadership opportunities - due to persistence, stability & authority 5

Changing Environment Library DataUsers were once lonescholars but now include:  Collaborative Learners  Data miners  MachinesLibraries must respond to:  Stimulate innovation  Enable knowledge creation  Increase relevance & utility

British Library Open Metadata Strategy Aims Migrate - from library formats to cross domain standards Collaborate - with community on new services advancing debate from theory to practice 7

British Library Open Metadata Strategy Aims Remove barriers - enabling innovation without unnecessary restrictions Achieve recognition - while using licensing appropriate for widest re-use 8

Open Service ObjectivesTarget services for: Traditional libraries (MARC21/Z39.50) Researchers - using new metadata processing techniques (RDF/XML) Linked data developers (RDF Triples/SPARQL) 9

Linked Open Data PreliminariesTo concentrate effort on ourdata we identified:  The best licensing option for our objectives (CC0)  A proven hosting platform  External sources of expert comment 10

Linked Open Data ObjectivesA staff & organisationaldevelopment opportunity using:  In-house staff  Existing tools & technologies  Library MARC21 data  Established linked data resources 11

Linked Open Data Why BNB? General bibliography - not a unique institutional catalogue Consistent format - over 60 years Size & range of content - 3 million records on all subjects in many languages 12

Linked Open Data Why BNB?Underlined commitmentby offering: Large, popular dataset - not niche sample Reusable metadata - not unique resource Foundational service & model - for others to build on 13

Linked Open Data MARC Migration Started simply - improving with developing staff expertise Used expert training in:  Linked data concepts  RDF modelling  Presentation options Used the opportunity to re- evaluate & innovate - blending the best of old & new 14

Linked Open Data Creating Links Techniques: Automatic generation from record data Auto text match with linked data dumps Crosswalk matching for coded data 15

Linked Open Data Linked Site Selection To embed data in a wider context we linked: General resources:  GeoNames  Lexvo  RDF Book Mashup Plus library resources:  LCSH  VIAF  Dewey.info 16

MARC21 to RDF XML Conversion Workflow • • Selection • Selection Selection • • Pre-processing • Pre-processing Pre-processing • • Character conversion • Character setset conversion Character set conversion • • URI generation • URI generation URI generation • Datatransformation Data transformation • Create & load triplesMARC to RDF conversionConsists of multiple automated steps 17

Access Options • thedatahub.org/dataset/bluk-bnb-basic • thedatahub.org/dataset/bluk-bnb BNB Books 1950-2012 2.8 Million Records 85 Million Unique Triples .• bnb.data.bl.uk/sparql • bnb.data.bl.uk/describe • bnb.data.bl.uk/search 18

Linked Open Data A Change in Perspective From self contained records for resources To linking triple statements about resources With ‘records’ assembled from statements 19

Linked Open Data Achievements Presence & visibility New library data model - being utilised by wider groups New opportunities for collaboration - with public & private sector organisations Confirmation that valuable data will be used – e.g. up to 8 million monthly transactions 20

Linked Open Data ChallengesHow to: Capture service value & gain attribution for effort Ensure expectations are Free met - both Government & wider Offering community License derived 3rd party data - to support open re-supply Ensure effective service maintenance - & persistence 21

Library Linked Data Wish List? We Need More… Tools to link library data to other resources LMS integration of linked data options Navigation & visualisation applications Feedback on usage Collaboration on shared approaches 22

Linked Open BNB http://www.bl.uk/bibliographic/datafree.htmlNext Steps: Regular updates More documentation & refinement of model Extend to cover further material & linked resources 23 Images from

OCLC Linked Data Roundtable event IFLA 2012

by nw13 on Aug 13, 2012

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

3 Embeds 5

Statistics