Abstract

This article describes the processes carried out by archives, libraries, and museums to semantically enrich authority records with the aim of improving their usability while building new functionalities for search and retrieval. The tasks that are usually included within the term semantic enrichment are: data cleaning, data reconciliation to external linked open data resources, extraction of additional data, and data publication. However, reconciliation and enrichment of large volumes of data can only be done by automatic means; for example, the semantic enrichment of polymath authority records by the Spanish Polymath Virtual Library. Finally, we analyze the role that Wikidata has as one of the most widely used linked open data resources and authority file for all Wikimedia projects.

Abstract

With the rapid development of the digital humanities (DH) field, demands for historical and cultural heritage data have generated deep interest the data provided by libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs). In order to enhance LAM data’s quality and discoverability while enabling a self-sustaining ecosystem, “semantic enrichment” becomes a strategy increasingly used by LAMs during recent years. This article introduces a number of semantic enrichment methods and efforts that can be applied to LAM data at various levels, aiming to support deeper and wider exploration and use of LAM data in DH research. The real cases, research projects, experiments, and pilot studies shared in this article demonstrate endless potential for LAM data, whether they are structured, semi-structured, or unstructured, regardless of what types of original artifacts carry the data. Following their roadmaps would encourage more effective initiatives and strengthen this effort to maximize LAM data’s discoverability, use- and reuse-ability, and their value in the mainstream of DH and Semantic Web.

Abstract

The main objective of reconciliation and semantic enrichment strategies for subject matter is described: in line with the philosophy of the semantic web, offering the user different ways to search for similar subjects in other information systems located in different parts of the web. These reconciliation and enrichment techniques must form a hybrid procedure of manual, semiautomatic, and automatic operations involving different programs and applications that enable the processing of large datasets at an affordable final cost for cultural institutions. Its application must follow good practices, guidelines, and recommendations, including the W3C, Europeana, and the FAIR principles. Some of the key vocabulary from Spanish material available on Linked Open Data are analyzed for their multilingual capacities. The importance of having standardized reconciliation services available to select Linked Open Data sources for reconciliation and semantic enrichment is noted. It is concluded that the information systems of cultural institutions must offer functionalities that involve the use of enriched subject authority records for searching, navigating, visualizing, and exporting.