Thing 10. Connecting to Linked Data Communities

Getting Started

As you completed the other Thing activities, you may have found yourself inside your own head wondering if you are understanding all the concepts and perhaps looking for a way to discuss how this is all applicable to what you do. Or perhaps you are interested in implementing some type of linked data project and wish to connect with others who are doing the same thing.

There are many discussions about linked data taking place within the library community at the national level at conferences, but there are also a number of other opportunities that exist to join the conversation about libraries and linked data. The activities below invite you to explore where linked data discussions and projects are happing within the library community. 

Activities

Explore the LD4 Community:

• On the LD4 Community Site, read over the "Community Charter," "Vision," and "Mission," and the "Activities and Outcomes" section.
• Watch the panel session from the LD4 2022 Conference (at least through the 30-minute mark) that introduces you to the LD4 Steering Group and the LD4 community.

Choose one of the following groups to visit below, based on your interests. The LD4 Discovery Affinity Group work shows the concrete benefits of using linked data to enhance discovery of library resources. The LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group hosts discussions on Wikidata topics to better understand how the library can contribute to and use Wikidata as a platform for publishing, linking, and enriching library linked data. 

• LD4 Discovery Affinity Group
  • Visit the website and read through the rationale for the group.
  • Browse the "Calls and topics" section and note there are recordings if you would like to learn more about the work of this community. 
• LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group
  • Visit the website and read through the "Rationale, Approach, Communication," and "Goals and Outcomes" sections.
  • Browse the list of past community calls and become more familiar with the topics discussed.

Reflection

In your explorations, did you see a space for you to follow or engage in linked data discussions? Were there any topics in particular that piqued your interest? Consider sharing your reflection responses in the Comments section at the bottom of the page. 

Additional Resources

This is not an exhaustive list of linked data communities and discussion groups, and more will be added as we hear about them.

• ALA Core Linked Data Interest Group
• BIBFRAME website and listserv
• ExLibris Linked Open Data Community of Practice Working Group
• LD4 Community
• LD4 Discovery Affinity Group
• LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group
• MCLS Midwest Collaborative for Library Services Linked Data for Libraries User Group
• Music Library Association Linked Data Working Group
• PCC Sinopia Cataloging Affinity Group
• UT Austin Linked Data Learning Group

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