Thing 11. Consuming and Using Linked Data

Getting Started

There are many examples of the use of linked data in the wild. If you do a basic search using Google, you may have noticed that along with results that match your search, a Knowledge Panel of factual information related to your search often displays. This is because Google consumes linked data from sources like Wikidata and others and stores it in their local Knowledge Graph. When a person does a search, Google is able to match basic facts (from linked data triples) related to a search. 

In libraries too, there have been some exciting developments and projects that demonstrate how libraries can bring in complementary data from trusted linked data sources to increase the value of our own data, with the benefits extending to our users. Explore more how linked data can enhance the search and discovery experience of users in the activities below. 

Activities

Videos

• Watch part of the presentation Where Linked Data Can Impact User Experience: Findings from a Study on Discovery Workflows (2:30 - 24:15) presented by Emma Boettcher, University of Chicago.
• Watch an 18-minute snippet (30:13 - 48:00) from the 2020 LD4 Conference session Libraries and Linked Data: A Tale of Two Technologies to learn about the discovery work at Cornell University and Stanford University.
  • As a follow-up, read over what linked data discovery enhancements have made it to production and are live in the Cornell University library catalog as of December 2021.

Readings

• From the Code4Lib Journal article “Analysis of 2018 International Linked Data Survey for Implementers,” read over the What and Why Linked Data Is Consumed section. 
  • Note the types of linked data sources consumed and also the reasons for consuming them.

Reflection

Think about the impact of linked data on end users of our systems. What are some of the benefits to discovery you can imagine? Consider sharing your reflection responses in the Comments section at the bottom of the page. 

Additional Resources

• Singhai, Amit. "Introducing the Knowledge Graph: things, not strings." Google: The Keyword, 16 May 2012, https://blog.google/products/search/introducing-knowledge-graph-things-not. Accessed 17 Dec. 2022.
• "What is a Knowledge Graph?" ontotext, https://www.ontotext.com/knowledgehub/fundamentals/what-is-a-knowledge-graph. Accessed 17 Dec. 2022.

• Khan, H., C. DeMarco, C. Fernsebner Eslao, S. Folsom, J. Kovari, S. Warner, T. Worrall, and A. Usong. "Using Linked Data Sources to Enhance Catalog Discovery." KULA: Knowledge Creation, Dissemination, and Preservation Studies, vol. 6, no. 3, July 2022, pp. 1-26. https://doi.org/10.18357/kula.229

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