VIVA Linked Data Pilot with Zepheira and Atlas Systems

How Did We Get Here? April 2016: Initial discussion with Zepheira at ICOLC Conference exploring opportunities for VIVA libraries in web visibility, shared collections, special collection exposure, and Linked Data collaborations. June 2016: Meeting at JMU with Zepheira, Atlas Systems, and VIVA experts about potential data projects, sources, and needs across Virginia that might benefit from Linked Data and local/regional/global networks. July 2016: Initial pilot using a few thousand records from VT and JMU. August 2016: VIVA Steering Committee approved larger scale pilot. January 2016: The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) agreed to fully fund the pilot through its Efficiency and Innovation Funds. February 2017-May 2017: The Linked Data pilot begins.

Source: http://library.link/

Overview of Pilot Project Goal is to increase the visibility of VIVA’s unique and diverse resources through Linked Data transformation and to expand their reach and use to researchers in Virginia and beyond. The pilot will enable VIVA to study how transformation can be achieved and learn how to measure the impact of Linked Data. The project may translate to other VIVA Linked Data projects, including shared collections.

Project Components Project 1A: Library.Link Awareness Building Project 1B: Pilot MARC Data Transformation Noun Project Image by Raf Verbraeken, BE

Project 1A: Library.Link Awareness Building Atlas Systems and Zepheira staff: Hosted three Library.Link webinar demos for 69 people Summary of Linked Data and the potential uses Summary of the Library.Link Network Detailed how institutions can create a presence on Library.Link Network Set up Link Domains on the Library.Link Network.

Source: http://library.link/

Project 1B: Pilot MARC Data Transformation VIVA members have a variety of data formats created by different systems. For this reason, the initial project focused on the most common and standardized format, MARC. MARC XML with UTF-8 coding Initial project extracted special collections and archival materials, but the work will easily transfer to full collections across all sections of the library. ArchivesSpace Virginia Heritage

Project 1B: Pilot MARC Data Transformation Over 48,000 MARC records representing archival and/or special collections materials were transformed into Linked Data for the initial project and published to the Web. Project participants: College of William & Mary George Mason University James Madison University Library of Virginia University of Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Tech

Project 1B: Pilot MARC Data Transformation As part of the data transformation, initial participants benefited from a complete data record in Library.Link. The transformed data was created and hosted using each individual participant’s Link Network Domain. The Linked Data is in the process of being posted to the Library.Link Network for consumption by Internet search providers. Atlas Systems and Zepheira will work with VIVA to identify ways the data can be utilized for the purposes of collection management, collection analysis, and user research.

Next Steps Phase 1/Pilot: Convert special collection MARC records from seven participating institutions. Phase 2: Work with selected institutions to map EAD finding aids to Linked Data project. [May-June 2017] Phase 3: Explore options for processing general catalog MARC records as Linked Data and geo-fencing (virtual perimeters to a geographic area). [Longer term]

John Duke jkduke@vcu.edu 804-827-3624