Libraries are shifting from physical institutions to becoming more "borderless" networks as they adapt to linked open data structures. As libraries share data across the web through unique URIs and RDF triples, it creates a "web of data" that helps both humans and machines understand complex concepts. However, linked open data also faces challenges related to data discrepancies, copyright and privacy issues. All libraries and cultural heritage institutions will need to cooperate and adapt their data practices to fully realize the benefits of linked open data.

1. We are experiencing a shift in the roles of
libraries as they change from physical
institutions to being in essence “borderless.”
Libraries, archives, galleries, and museums
will become more of a network as opposed
to singular institutions but will continue to be
information gateways. It is virtually painless
for libraries to adapt to the Linked Open
Data structure since libraries already have
much of the Linked Data Triples needed in
their catalogues and the system can
consume the existing catalogue content.
LIS 653-02 Fall 2013- Knowledge Organization- Professor Cristina Pattuelli
Worldwide, there are many libraries and institutions that are leading the
way in this field. Examples include the Library of Congress, Cambridge
University Library, Europeana, British National Bibliography, World Cat,
Libris, and the Open Library. Currently, this mission to link the world’s
data has experienced dilemmas and setbacks since some organizations
have been reluctant to be involved, issues about copyright and
licensing still needs to be addressed as well as dealing with provenance
information. All libraries, special collections, organizations, and
institutions need to cooperate and adapt for true success and
functionality of Linked Open Data.
In order to understand the meaning of Linked Open Data we must
first understand the concept of Open Data. Open data is defined by
Karl Aberer in The semantic web proceedings as the idea that data
should be freely available to everyone to use and republish as they
wish, without restrictions from copyrights, patents, or other
mechanisms of control. This can be better understood by a similar
movement that might be familiar to users in academic research, such
as open access journals, which are scholarly journals that are
available online to the reader "without financial, legal, or technical
barriers other than those inseparable from gaining access to the
internet itself.” The goals of open data are very similar to those of
open access. Now the idea behind linked open data is that this
available data is structured in a way that can be interlinked and
become more useful. As stated by Heath Bizer, the term “Linked
Data” refers to a set of best practices for publishing and connecting
structured data on the Web.
The benefits of linked open data include a
decrease in internal data ‘silos,’ the creation of a
‘web of data’ through interlinked data, and an
increased understanding by both humans and
machines of complex concepts.
Data sources can be
accessed using data
browsers and allow
for the entire data
space to be browsed
by search engines.
In contrast to data silos,
linked data is concerned
with sharing data across
the web. Each piece of
the data is given a unique
URI.
RDF triples explicitly state
the relationship between
objects and concepts,
creating an entity-relationship
model that helps humans and
computers understand
complex ideas.
1. Use URIs as names for data
2. Use HTTP URIs to make
it easier for users to look up
names
Suggested reading:
Bauer, F., & Kaltenböck, M. (2012). Linked
open data: the essentials: a quick start guide
for decision makers. Vienna: edition
mono/monochrom. http://www.semanticweb.at/LOD-TheEssentials.pdf
We would like to acknowledge
Professor Maria Cristina
Pattuelli for the research
opportunity, the Pratt
Manhattan Library for its
resources, and Tim BernersLee for his Linked Open Data
enthusiasm.
Watch video: Linked Data for Libraries
By OCLC
Watch Video: Linked Open Data - What is
it?
By EuropeanaEU
Required reading:
Bizer, C., Heath, T., & Berners-Lee, T.
(2009). Linked data- the story so far.
International Journal on Semantic Web and
Information Systems (IJSWIS), 5 (3), 1-22.
http://tomheath.com/papers/bizer-heathberners-lee-ijswis-linked-data.pdf
Lisa Barrier, Katherina
Fostano, Ailina Mayer,
Esperanza Pacheco, &
Rebecca Plock
The main cons of linked data and linked open data
consist of technological, legal, and privacy issues.
For many, linking data includes
many data discrepancies and can
cause copyright problems, lack of
trustworthiness or quality, or, in
extreme cases, disclosure of private
or personal information.
3. When a user looks up the URI,
provide useful information using
the standards (RDF, SPARQL)
4. Include links to other URIs, so that
users can discover more information
Available on the web (whatever format)
but with an open license, to be Open
Data
Available as machine-readable structured
data (e.g. excel instead of image scan of a
table)
As (2) plus non-proprietary format (e.g.
CSV instead of excel)
All the above, plus use open standards
from W3C (RDF and SPARQL) to
identify things, so that people can point at
your stuff
All the above, plus: Link your data
to other people’s data to provide
context
Merged data can often lead to
language
and
accessibility
issues. RDFs need to constantly
be updated, but who can
maintain the entire Web?

2. Background Image: National Geographic Atlas of the World

3. LIS 653-02 Knowledge Organization
Claire Dunning
Katherine Hessler
Rachel Smiley
Freya Yost
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank Dr.
Cristina Pattuelli and Bree
Midavaine for their input and
assistance with this project.
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