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This paper reports on a quantitative study of data gathered from the Linked Open Vocabularies (LOV) catalogue, including the use of network analysis and metrics. The purpose of this paper is to gain insights into the structure of LOV and the use of vocabularies in the Web of Data. It is important to note that not all the vocabularies in it are registered in LOV. Given the de-centralised and collaborative nature of the use and adoption of these vocabularies, the results of the study can be used to identify emergent important vocabularies that are shaping the Web of Data.

The methodology is based on an analytical approach to a data set that captures a complete snapshot of the LOV catalogue dated April 2014. An initial analysis of the data is presented in order to obtain insights into the characteristics of the vocabularies found in LOV. This is followed by an analysis of the use of Vocabulary of a Friend properties that describe relations among vocabularies. Finally, the study is complemented with an analysis of the usage of the different vocabularies, and concludes by proposing a number of metrics.

The most relevant insight is that unsurprisingly the vocabularies with more presence are those used to model Semantic Web data, such as Resource Description Framework, RDF Schema and OWL, as well as broadly used standards as Simple Knowledge Organization System, DCTERMS and DCE. It was also discovered that the most used language is English and the vocabularies are not considered to be highly specialised in a field. Also, there is not a dominant scope of the vocabularies. Regarding the structural analysis, it is concluded that LOV is a heterogeneous network.

The paper provides an empirical analysis of the structure of LOV and the relations between its vocabularies, together with some metrics that may be of help to determine the important vocabularies from a practical perspective. The results are of interest for a better understanding of the evolution and dynamics of the Web of Data, and for applications that attempt to retrieve data in the Linked Data Cloud. These applications can benefit from the insights into the important vocabularies to be supported and the value added when mapping between and using the vocabularies.

Linked data is gaining great interest in the cultural heritage domain as a new way for publishing, sharing and consuming data. The paper aims to provide a detailed method and MARiMbA a tool for publishing linked data out of library catalogues in the MARC 21 format, along with their application to the catalogue of the National Library of Spain in the datos.bne.es project.

First, the background of the case study is introduced. Second, the method and process of its application are described. Third, each of the activities and tasks are defined and a discussion of their application to the case study is provided.

The paper shows that the FRBR model can be applied to MARC 21 records following linked data best practices, librarians can successfully participate in the process of linked data generation following a systematic method, and data sources quality can be improved as a result of the process.

The paper proposes a detailed method for publishing and linking linked data from MARC 21 records, provides practical examples, and discusses the main issues found in the application to a real case. Also, it proposes the integration of a data curation activity and the participation of librarians in the linked data generation process.

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the quality of the connections (linkset) among thesauri published as Linked Data on the Web. It extends the cross-walking measures with two new measures able to evaluate the enrichment brought by the information reached through the linkset (lexical enrichment, browsing space enrichment). It fosters the adoption of cross-walking linkset quality measures besides the well-known and deployed cardinality-based measures (linkset cardinality and linkset coverage).

The paper applies the linkset measures to the Linked Thesaurus fRamework for Environment (LusTRE). LusTRE is selected as testbed as it is encoded using a Simple Knowledge Organisation System (SKOS) published as Linked Data, and it explicitly exploits the cross-walking measures on its validated linksets.

The application on LusTRE offers an insight of the complementarities among the considered linkset measures. In particular, it shows that the cross-walking measures deepen the cardinality-based measures analysing quality facets that were not previously considered. The actual value of LusTRE’s linksets regarding the improvement of multilingualism and concept spaces is assessed.

The paper considers skos:exactMatch linksets, which belong to a rather specific but a quite common kind of linkset. The cross-walking measures explicitly assume correctness and completeness of linksets. Third party approaches and tools can help to meet the above assumptions.

This paper fulfils an identified need to study the quality of linksets. Several approaches formalise and evaluate Linked Data quality focusing on data set quality but disregarding the other essential component: the connection among data.

The paper aims to investigate issues surrounding publishing thesauri as linked data and explores a systematic way for publishing linked open thesauri

Based on the four principles of linked data, a novel approach is proposed to incorporate terminology services with thesauri and provide more descriptive information about thesauri and relating services. A proof-of-concept system was built for demonstrating the approach.

Carefully designed URIs and terminology services are necessary for publishing linked open thesauri. However, there is still a lack of standards for describing linked open thesauri and terminology services. Since it is possible to publish thesauri at the hands of creators and maintainers, distributed thesauri may be a good complement to the traditional registry approach.

Only a simple knowledge organisation system (SKOS) core model is considered in the paper. There may be some adjustment for applying the findings to thesauri using the SKOS extended model and other models.

The paper proposes a more systematic way for publishing linked open thesauri. It is important to consider a linked open thesaurus as a dynamic system rather than a static data dump. In addition, functionality for using thesauri is equally important for publishing thesauri.

This paper aims to propose a method based on Linked Data and Semantic Web principles for composing microservices through data integration. Two frameworks that provide support for the proposed composition method are also described in this paper: Linkedator, which is responsible for connecting entities managed by microservices, and Alignator, which aligns semantic concepts defined by heterogeneous ontologies.

The proposed method is based on entity linking principles and uses individual matching techniques considering a formal notion of identity. This method imposes two major constraints that must be taken into account by its implementation: architectural constraints and resource design constraints.

Experiments were performed in a real-world scenario, using public government data. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the proposed method and that, it leverages the independence of development and composability of microservices. Thereby, the data provided by microservices that adopt heterogeneous ontologies can now be linked together.

This work only considers microservices designed as data providers. Microservices designed to execute functionalities in a given application domain are out of the scope of this work.

The proposed composition method exploits the potential data intersection observed in resource-oriented microservice descriptions, providing a navigable view of data provided by a set of interrelated microservices. Furthermore, this study explores the applicability of ontology alignments for composing microservices.

This study seeks to understand the current state of the development of linked open data (LOD) bibliographic portals to discuss their functionalities, contributions, value-adds and user experience.

A set of evaluative aspects grouped into three analysis dimensions was established: collections, tools—technologies and standards used—and web user interface. As the object of the study, four projects of diverse nature and volume were selected to help provide a better understanding of the trends in the solutions provided for the end user when accessing linked data collections.

Publishing LOD through visual interfaces maximises information enrichment, contextualisation and discovery, in addition to improving user experience, because of both increased navigation capabilities and interrelationships between data. These more flexible environments have metamorphosised the visualisation of bibliographic information. However, aspects that needed improvement were observed, primarily relating to (1) a more intuitive interaction, (2) possibilities of greater personalisation, (3) enhanced communication with the user to favour user engagement and (4) experimental spaces of data reuse.

Further quantitative and qualitative studies should be conducted to improve these portals, assess their adaptation to the behaviour of the user and their influence on the use of library collections.

This article investigates the potential of semantic technologies in bibliographic data portals, proposes a methodological model for their evaluation and advances conclusions about the usability and user experience that these platforms provide, compared to classic catalogues.

This chapter aims to help librarians understand the underlying rationale for Resource Description and Access (RDA) and recognize the great potential of the Semantic Web for libraries.

It explains the linked data model and Semantic Web technologies in basic, informative terms, and describes how the Semantic Web is constructed. Semantic Web standards and technologies are discussed in detail, including URI, RDF, and ontologies. The study also traces the development of RDA and some of the major library Semantic Web projects. The authors explore how RDA shapes bibliographical data and prepares it for linked data in the Semantic Web. In addition, this study examines what libraries in the United States and the rest of the world have achieved in implementing RDA since its release.

RDA is the correct approach libraries should take.

This is the first and only chapter that covers the development of RDA in other countries as well as in the United States. It is highly informative for anyone who wishes to understand the RDA and Semantic Web and their relevance to libraries in a short period of time.

This study aims to present a broad discussion of Linked Data (LD) and Semantic Web technologies, specifically their potential application in information environments such as libraries. It aims to explore library professionals’ conception about barriers to implement LD in libraries and strategies to take advantage of this technology.

It is a qualitative study and uses phenomenology to explore library professionals’ common conceptions regarding the implementation of LD technology in libraries. Data were collected through interviews with the experts who are professionals and researchers, immersed with technology, actively involved in LD initiatives and/or are advocates of its implementation in libraries. Data were analyzed through NVivo software.

Based on the study findings, it is elucidated that lack of awareness and skills among information professionals along with non-compatibility of traditional machine-readable cataloging-based standards with LD are some barriers that are creating hindrance in the implementation of LD. Findings also show that LD technology applications in Pakistan are at infancy level and facing legal, ethical and technical challenges. information communication technology skills of library professionals, designing new library management systems, structured data, standards, frameworks and training sessions, workshops, seminars and conferences are proposed strategies to implement LD in libraries in the perspective of a developing country.

This study has a few limitations; first, its focus is on prospects and perceptions of information professionals instead of LD practices in libraries. Second, sample is limited to information professionals immersed in technology and actively involved in LD initiatives and/or are advocates of its implementation in libraries, as Pakistan is a developing country and limited numbers of information professionals familiar and use LD technology. Finally, the results of this study are based on information professionals’ perceptions, so there is a need to measure actual application of LD technology with assessments.

The findings of the study are helpful for the library professionals, teachers and system designers. The library professionals may know the need for LD in the libraries.