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About Thing 13

Purpose: The OCLC Research linked data Wikibase prototype, Project Passage, shows the potential of linked data in cataloging.

Learning Outcomes: Better awareness of how cataloging workflows change when using a linked data based system.

Intended Audience: Beginner

Author: Sara Ring, Minitex

Expected Duration: 60-75 minutes

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.

Getting Started

For over a decade, OCLC Research has been experimenting with and working on linked data projects. In a recent effort titled Project Passage, they created a sandbox for librarians from 16 organizations to experiment with creating linked data to describe resources without having to know the technical aspects of implementation. 

Through the activities below, you will learn more about the potential of linked data in cataloging. While not required, it may help to complete Thing 4. Editing in Wikidata and/or Thing 6. PCC Wikidata Pilot Project before delving into the activities below.

Activities

Watch the 15-minute video clip (37:21 - 52:10) featuring a presentation on OCLC linked data research by Andrew Pace that provides context for Project Passage. The video clip is taken from a larger OCLC presentation at ALA Midwinter 2021 titled "OCLC Research update: convening, understanding, and sharing."

Read the executive summary and the introduction (pages 8-14) of the final report "Creating Library Linked Data with Wikibase: Lessons Learned from Project Passage."

  • From the executive summary, choose at least one of the three "key issues/long-term issues" listed and skip to the "Reflections and Perspectives" section of the report (starting on page 64) to read more.

Reflection

What surprised you from the lessons learned or long-term issues raised in the Project Passage report? Consider sharing your reflection responses in the Comments section at the bottom of the page.

Additional Resources

Claim Credit

Need a certificate of completion? Answer the questions below, submit them, and you’ll receive an email confirmation with a link to download your certificate. 

 

What surprised you from the lessons learned or long-term issues raised in the Project Passage report?