(Please excuse cross-posting)

Dear colleagues,

Thanks to everyone who attended our Pt. 1 session of "MARC & BIBFRAME" last Wednesday. We believe we had three very informative presentations. This is a friendly reminder that The MARC Formats Transition Interest Group (MFTIG)<https://connect.ala.org/core/communities/community-home?CommunityKey=bfdc5746-8b0b-4d09-a1b5-042f7f95abdd> has another session this coming Friday to explore further the current state of the MARC formats and their transition in the linked data environment!


Session Title: MARC and Its Transition in the Linked Data Environment

Pt.2: MARC to Linked Data - More Possibilities -- Friday, 3/15/2024 (2-3pm EST/1-2pm CST/11am-12pm PST):

#1. “Integrating Linked Data into Cataloging Workflows” by Anne Washington, OCLC

#2. “Everything You Wanted to Know About 'Linky MARC' (and Were Definitely Not Afraid to Ask, Being Librarians)” by Abby Dover, Northwestern University

#3. “Using Linked Open Data to Build a Culture of Collaboration at Yale University” by Timothy A. Thompson, Yale University Library

Registration link for Pt. 2: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8W3jzHC_QuStcNIsIcyg3A#/registration

Details are as follows:


“Pt.2: MARC to Linked Data - More Possibilities" on Friday, 3/15/2024:

Presentation Pt.2-#1:

Title: Integrating Linked Data into Cataloging Workflows

Presenter: Anne Washington, Product Analyst, OCLC

Summary: As libraries continue to focus on new ways to facilitate the creation and sharing of knowledge, and as the volume and variety of information increases, metadata and metadata expertise is more important than ever. Evolving library data into linked data frees the knowledge in library collections and connects it to the knowledge streams that inform our everyday lives — on the web, through smart devices, and using technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Building upon decades of research on the tools, standards, workflows, and strategies for making the transition to linked data, there have been significant advancements in the infrastructure, data, and services needed to bring linked data into today’s library workflows. During this presentation, attendees will learn about recent developments that integrate linked data features into current cataloging workflows, establishing a bridge between MARC data and linked data, and connecting data across systems and services. These advancements include adding linked data identifiers to MARC records at scale, and enhancing existing cataloging applications to add valuable linked data elements into current MARC-based workflows. The move to linked data enables greater data interoperability and connections across a variety of both traditional and linked data formats. Supporting an array of data formats allows libraries and researchers to experience the benefits of linked data today, without making dramatic changes to existing systems, workflows, or behaviors.


Presentation Pt.2-#2:

Tile: Everything You Wanted to Know About "Linky MARC" (and Were Definitely Not Afraid to Ask, Being Librarians)

Presenter: Abby Dover, Linked Data Librarian, Northwestern University

Summary: The goal of this presentation is to provide a brief but comprehensive and up-to-date guide to using URIs in MARC records (aka "linky MARC"). The main points of discussion will be:

  *   the role that "linky MARC" plays in the transition to linked data
  *   the difference between $0 and $1 and what exactly is meant by "real world objects"
  *   key resources such as PCC's best practices documentation, URI FAQ, and URI formulation guide, as well as tools such as WorldShare Record Manger's "Insert WorldCat Entity" functionality
  *   the recent decision (as of December 2023) by OCLC to add URIs for WorldCat entities in several MARC fields
  *   a discussion of some important pros and cons to consider when thinking about adding URIs in MARC records.
a discussion of some important pros and cons to consider when thinking about adding URIs in MARC records.

Presentation Pt.2-#3:

Title: Using Linked Open Data to Build a Culture of Collaboration at Yale University

Presenter: Timothy A. Thompson, Librarian for Applied Metadata Research, Yale University Library

Summary: To date, the transition from MARC 21 to linked open data has focused largely on information management. Major initiatives such as the Mellon-funded Linked Data for Production project have developed tools and workflows to support the transition from MARC to BIBFRAME in library technical services. Important work has also been done to leverage linked data for front-end discovery, but discovery has not typically been the starting point. At Yale University, a collaborative effort has been underway since 2019 to develop an integrated discovery platform using linked open data. That platform, called LUX: Yale Collections Discovery, encompasses over 17 million items across the university’s libraries, archives, and museums. LUX implements the Linked Art standard, which is based on the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model. Each collecting unit was responsible for mapping its source metadata, including the library’s complete MARC 21 catalog of 12.2 million records, to Linked Art. The development and implementation of LUX required a concerted effort from a wide range of staff, including curators, technologists, and metadata analysts. These teams worked in unison to integrate their respective collections into a single platform. This focus on linked data for discovery has created a reference point that makes it possible to argue more persuasively for the value proposition of linked data and its potential not only to benefit users but also to build a culture of collaboration across an institution.


We will record the session and post slides and related materials in our IG Connect site and ALA Core IG Week website<https://www.ala.org/core/continuing-education/interest-group-week> once available.

Best wishes,

MFTIG Co-Chairs:
Keiko Suzuki ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>)
Sai Deng ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>)