Beyond the Library Catalogue: Connecting Library Metadata to Wikidata

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/FT.2024.009

Keywords

Wikidata, Semantic Web, Library Metadata, Library Catalogue, Wikimedia Projects, Libraries, Open data

Abstract

In this era of semantic web, libraries can leverage the power of Wikdata to enhance the discoverability of their resources, foster interoperability, as well as empower information seekers to navigate a richer and vast network of knowledge bases. This study adopted the review method to theoretically examine the concept of Wikidata and how libraries could benefit from the technology by linking their metadata to the global knowledgebase, so as to increase the visibility and discoverability of library materials. The study X-rayed the application of Wikidata in libraries, particularly in the area of increasing visibility and discoverability of library of resources. With Wikidata, libraries could create a web of interconnected knowledge bases that transcends boundaries. It emphasized the importance of integrating Wikidata into libraries, as this could help to shape the open knowledge ecosystem and empower libraries to better serve their user communities in an ever-changing World. The study further advocates for the adoption of Wikidata in libraries so as to project library resources for the greater good of mankind.

Author Biography

Omorodion Okuonghae, Glorious Vision University, Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria

Omorodion Okuonghae is the Head of E-library Services at Glorious Vision University, Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria. He has Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Library and Information Science from Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. He has published numerous scholarly publications in reputable local and international outlets in the field of Library and Information Science. He has also presented papers at many local, national, and international conferences. Omorodion has received several awards and recognitions including the ‘Best Paper Presenter’ award at the 57th Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Library Association, and the overall best graduating student recognition in the Department of Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. Omorodion is highly passionate about Librarianship, Emerging Technologies in Library, Information Literacy, and Scholarly Communication. He is a member of NLA. Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=pl&user=SXYe37MAAAAJ

References

Aycock, M. (n.d). Bringing Linked Data into Libraries via Wikidata. Texas State University Libraries. https://digital.library.txst.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/9aef75de-c4d7-443c-a8ed-a883b4a42eef/content

Carnegie Mellon University Libraries. (2023). What is Metadata and Why is it Important? https://guides.library.cmu.edu/Metadata

Evans, J. (2023, September 22). Treasured Manuscript collection gets the Wikidata Treatment. Digital Scholarship at the National Library of Wales. https://datanlw.hcommons.org/2023/09/22/hello-world/

Evenstein Sigalov, S., & Nachmias, R. (2023). Investigating the potential of the semantic web for education: Exploring Wikidata as a learning platform. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 12565–12614. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11664-1

Ford, H., & Iliadis, A. (2023). Wikidata as Semantic Infrastructure: Knowledge Representation, Data Labor, and Truth in a More-Than-Technical Project. Social Media + Society, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231195552

Kardos, A. (2022). Introduction to Metadata. University of Massachusetts Amherst. https://guides.library.umass.edu/intro_to_metadata

Lemus-Rojas, M., & Pintscher, L. (2018). Wikidata and Libraries: Facilitating Open Knowledge. In M. Proffitt (Ed.), Leveraging Wikipedia: Connecting Communities of Knowledge (pp. 143–158). ALA Editions.

Malyshev, S., Krötzsch, M., González, L., Gonsior, J., & Bielefeldt, A. (2018). Getting the most out of Wikidata: Semantic technology usage in Wikipedia’s knowledge graph. In D. Vrandečić et al. (Eds.), The Semantic Web – ISWC 2018 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 11137). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00668-6_23

Nkiko, C., & Okuonghae, O. (2021). Achieving the 4IR University Library in Sub-Saharan Africa: Trends, Opportunities and Challenges. Folia Toruniensia, 21, 121–140. https://doi.org/10.12775/FT.2021.006

Odell, J., Lemus-Rojas, M., & Brys, L. (2022). Wikidata For Scholarly Communication Librarianship. Indiana University. https://iu.pressbooks.pub/wikidatascholcomm/chapter/introduction/

Tharani, K. (2021). Much more than a mere technology: A systematic review of Wikidata in libraries. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(2), 102326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2021.102326

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Folia Toruniensia

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Published

2024-11-19

How to Cite

Okuonghae, O. (2024). Beyond the Library Catalogue: Connecting Library Metadata to Wikidata. Folia Toruniensia, 24, 183–192. https://doi.org/10.12775/FT.2024.009

Issue

Vol. 24 (2024)

Section

Reviews

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Copyright (c) 2024 the Provincial Public Library - the Copernicus Library in Torun

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