Joseph Hafner, McGill University | Caitlin Tillman, University of Toronto IATUL 2016 Confederation Bridge The Canadian Linked Data Initiative: Building Bridges to a Linked Data Future Confederation Bridge – Linking PEI to the Mainland Confederation Bridge, links PEI to mainland New Brunswick. Retrieved from The Canadian Linked Data Initiative: Building Bridges to a Linked Data Future

Outline Introducing the Canadian Linked Data Initiative Working group activities Challenges and Next Steps High Level Bridge, spans the North Saskatchewan River to link Edmonton and Strathcona in Alberta Photograph:

Changing Course in Technical Services After many years of cataloging according to AACR2 and MARC, real change is in sight – Library of Congress plan for the Bibliographic Framework Transition Initiative (Oct. 2011) – Library of Congress Pilot (2015) – Mellon funds LD4P (2016) No longer a question of if the MARC standard will be replaced, but when

Report of the Stanford Linked Data Workshop, 27 June – 1 July 2011: CLIR publication Why Replace MARC?

Pivotal Moment ALA Technical Services Directors of Large Research Libraries (Big Heads) 2015 Discussion focused on Linked Data initiatives Three Canadian top 25 ARLs No Canadian institution could contribute substantially to the conversation  Canadian initiatives were small and dispersed  A coordinated Linked Data effort was needed

Access Conference 2015, Toronto Day long meeting with invited experts 5 largest Canadian Research Libraries University of Toronto University of British Columbia McGill University Université de Montréal University of Alberta Call to Action MacDonald-Cartier Bridge, links Ottawa to Gatineau. Photograph:

Meeting Outcomes Agreement to collaborate Communication plan Development of working groups to focus on specific aspects of Linked Data training and production Addition of Library Archives Canada, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec and Canadiana.org to the initiative Inside the Peace Bridge, pedestrian bridge that spans the Bow river in Calgary. Photograph:

Why the Canadian Linked Data Initiative? Recognition that no one institution can do it alone Benefit from the strengths of each institution Nationally advancing knowledge and practice Canadian institutions have a long tradition of collaboration

Working Groups

Coordinating Group Identifiers BIBFRAME Editor Digital Projects Education Training Summit Planning Groupe de travail francophone User Experience IT Grants The CDLI Cloud June 1, 2016

Steering and Planning Committee Associate University Librarians and working group chairs provide overall guidance and leadership Shared web space, conference calls Monthly conference calls Vision and enthusiasm

Grants Working Group Working towards obtaining funding for a Linked Data Summit SSHRC Connections grant application Linked Data Summit planned for October 2016 in Montreal

La Manche Suspension Bridge, pedestrian bridge on the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland. Photo: LaManche Suspension Bridge, linking the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland. Photo: Education Working Group Aims to explore the theory and practice of linked data, with the goal of creating a collaborative environment in which to develop and share training opportunities and resources. Resource gathering on linked data teaching sessions Looking at Core Concepts in Linked Data Looking at LC Linked data training

Digital Projects Working Group To explore possibilities for collaboration around Linked Data for digital projects –Student publications –Theses and dissertations –Historical postcards Investigating building a collaborative digital collection around the theme of Canada’s 150th

Group de Travail Francophone Articulating the need for French language documentation Assistance in translation of Linked Data documentation Identify the specific needs of the francophone community with regards to authorities and identifiers Le pont de Powerscourt enjambe la rivière Châteauguay et relie Elgin à Hinchinbrooke, Quebec. Photograph: nissanman /

Identifiers Working Group Group aims to tackle projects related to the enhancement of legacy data with URIs Metadata enhancement now will lead to a better transformation into a Linked Data in the future Focused on both MARC and non-MARC metadata Various aspects of URIs Section from the Linked Data Cloud maintained by Richard Cyganiak and Anja Jentzsch.

Identifiers Working Group Projects Retrofitting digital collection metadata with Linked Data elements Discovery and Early Development of Insulin collection Reconciliation of authors, subjects, format, place names, language, dates Using OpenRefine with RDF extension to transform into Linked Data

Lion’s Gate Bridge, links Stanley Park to downtown Vancouver. Photo: Exploring how tools can be incorporated into metadata production workflows, including: OpenRefine MARCEdit BibNext Tools Catmandu Karma RIMMF Identifiers Working Group Projects

Working group struck in September 2015 to investigate Need for tool to create sample linked data Exploring: Editor tool developed by Library of Congress Zepheira Scribe Tool Triple Store Databases, options for SPARQL endpoints French interface Keeping close eye on developments from LC’s pilot and work with partners BIBFRAME Tools Working Group Esplanade Riel Pedestrian Bridge, links The Forks and Winnipeg’s French Quarter. Photograph:

BIBFRAME Editor Working Group Creating sample data, where to start? Leveraging Uniform Resource Identifiers Looking at various activities: Zepheira LC Scribe BFE Exploring if BIBFRAME is a way forward

IT Working Group Integration of Linked Data into digital repositories Development of programming expertise in a Linked Data environment Connection between metadata creation and consumption User Experience Working Group How does Linked Data impact user experience? What is next? Completed in 2012, Deh Cho Bridge spans the Mackenzie River to link communities in the Northwest Territories. Photograph:

Challenges & Opportunities Wildlife Overpass, Banff National Park, Alberta, spans the Trans-Canada highway to link bears to their mates. Photograph from:

Challenges Working in coordination with other library units and vendors Scale – Canada is large; public institutions can be hard to move User experience Funding Champlain Bridge – Linking l’ile de Montreal to the south suburbs. Photograph from

Opportunities Building a culture of learning Keep Canada on the radar Stimulate imagination and creativity in Tech Services Planning a Linked Data Summit in Montreal, October 24-26, 2016.

Artist’s rendering the Gordie Howe International Bridge, linking Windsor, Canada to Detroit, USA Photograph: Thank You! Artist's rendering shows what the Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor might look like. (Photo: Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority)