The Linked Data Librarian – an emerging speciality or the new cataloguer

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to come to an understanding of the role of the Linked Data Librarian as well as to explain why this librarian requires significant skills and knowledge in the area of creating and working with legacy library metadata.

Design/methodology/approach

Typical job positions for cataloguing and metadata librarians from two different librarian job posting websites were monitored and examined over the course of nearly three months. The findings from the analysis were compared with a new job posting for a Linked Data Librarian to answer the question regarding whether or not the Linked Data Librarian is just a new type of cataloguer or if the job posting represents a new speciality within librarianship.

Findings

The analysis found that in the early days the position of Linked Data Librarian will appear to be very much like a cataloguer and linked data librarian. As linked data technologies become established in libraries and Bibliographic Framework is eventually implemented, the position will take on its full Linked Data leadership role.

Originality/value

Seeing as the Linked Data Librarian position is a new one, little analysis of it and how it fits into the cataloguing and metadata department as well as the library in general exists. This paper seeks to fill that gap.

Citation

Frederick, D.E. (2022), "The Linked Data Librarian – an emerging speciality or the new cataloguer", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 39 No. 8, pp. 5-11. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-07-2022-0087