Core Linked Data Interest Group

Hi Tomeka:

I heartily recommend connecting with the LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group.

Wikidata is one of many linked data platforms, but it is one of the largest (or, according to a presenter at an LD4 WAG event yesterday, the "largest live knowledge graph" in the world), with ever-increasing visibility and usage in library workflows and datastores. The barriers to participation as a Wikidata editor are relatively low and people interested in learning about creating and using linked data resource descriptions can create an account and begin creating* and querying data right away. (*I encourage you to make use of a community-supported metadata application profile, perhaps one of those available here, if you will jump right into creating items.)

I've experienced the LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group to be a very welcoming space for participants of all experience levels and a great place to learn about Wikidata in particular and the semantic web in general. Information about joining the Slack workspace and Google Group, where you will see announcements for a variety of workshops, presentations, and other events, is available here.

------------------------------
Benjamin Riesenberg (they/them)
Digital Collections Metadata Librarian
University of Oregon Knight Library
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2025 06:13 AM
From: Tomeka Jackson
Subject: Newbies in the field

Hello, my name is Tomeka, and I am becoming increasingly interested in learning about Linked Data as the next step in my cataloging and metadata career as a librarian. I've noticed that more job postings are emerging for linked data librarians, and I would like to know if there are community groups or mailing lists where I can learn and get started, even with little to no programming experience.

I believe that Linked Data represents the next evolution in libraries, cataloging, and metadata, especially as more libraries transition to platforms like FOLIO. Additionally, Alma is incorporating linked data elements, which I am currently engaging with in my position. 

I'm reaching out to find community resources or mentors in this growing field. Thank you!

Thank you so much !

------------------------------
Tomeka Jackson
Library Resident
Clemson University
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2025 01:15 PM
From: Benjamin Riesenberg
Subject: Newbies in the field

Hi Tomeka:

I heartily recommend connecting with the LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group.

Wikidata is one of many linked data platforms, but it is one of the largest (or, according to a presenter at an LD4 WAG event yesterday, the "largest live knowledge graph" in the world), with ever-increasing visibility and usage in library workflows and datastores. The barriers to participation as a Wikidata editor are relatively low and people interested in learning about creating and using linked data resource descriptions can create an account and begin creating* and querying data right away. (*I encourage you to make use of a community-supported metadata application profile, perhaps one of those available here, if you will jump right into creating items.)

I've experienced the LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group to be a very welcoming space for participants of all experience levels and a great place to learn about Wikidata in particular and the semantic web in general. Information about joining the Slack workspace and Google Group, where you will see announcements for a variety of workshops, presentations, and other events, is available here.

------------------------------
Benjamin Riesenberg (they/them)
Digital Collections Metadata Librarian
University of Oregon Knight Library

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2025 06:13 AM
From: Tomeka Jackson
Subject: Newbies in the field

Hello, my name is Tomeka, and I am becoming increasingly interested in learning about Linked Data as the next step in my cataloging and metadata career as a librarian. I've noticed that more job postings are emerging for linked data librarians, and I would like to know if there are community groups or mailing lists where I can learn and get started, even with little to no programming experience.

I believe that Linked Data represents the next evolution in libraries, cataloging, and metadata, especially as more libraries transition to platforms like FOLIO. Additionally, Alma is incorporating linked data elements, which I am currently engaging with in my position. 

I'm reaching out to find community resources or mentors in this growing field. Thank you!

Hi Tomeka,

I second checking out the LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group. But also The LD4 conference - a free yearly conference that has things for all skill level.

Also, this book is a great starting point: Linked Data for the Perplexed Librarian. There's a Q&A with the authors that's free to watch, done back in 2020 with the MCLS's Linked Data User Group.

Library Juice has a class on Linked Data that I took years ago, but I highly recommend it for beginners: Introduction to Linked Data

------------------------------
Marianne Swierenga
Cataloging and Metadata Librarian
Western Michigan University
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2025 06:13 AM
From: Tomeka Jackson
Subject: Newbies in the field

Hello, my name is Tomeka, and I am becoming increasingly interested in learning about Linked Data as the next step in my cataloging and metadata career as a librarian. I've noticed that more job postings are emerging for linked data librarians, and I would like to know if there are community groups or mailing lists where I can learn and get started, even with little to no programming experience.

I believe that Linked Data represents the next evolution in libraries, cataloging, and metadata, especially as more libraries transition to platforms like FOLIO. Additionally, Alma is incorporating linked data elements, which I am currently engaging with in my position. 

I'm reaching out to find community resources or mentors in this growing field. Thank you!

Thank you this helps!

------------------------------
Tomeka Jackson
Library Resident
Clemson University
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 27, 2025 10:13 AM
From: Marianne Swierenga
Subject: Newbies in the field

Hi Tomeka,

I second checking out the LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group. But also The LD4 conference - a free yearly conference that has things for all skill level.

Also, this book is a great starting point: Linked Data for the Perplexed Librarian. There's a Q&A with the authors that's free to watch, done back in 2020 with the MCLS's Linked Data User Group.

Library Juice has a class on Linked Data that I took years ago, but I highly recommend it for beginners: Introduction to Linked Data

------------------------------
Marianne Swierenga
Cataloging and Metadata Librarian
Western Michigan University

Original Message:
Sent: Jun 25, 2025 06:13 AM
From: Tomeka Jackson
Subject: Newbies in the field

Hello, my name is Tomeka, and I am becoming increasingly interested in learning about Linked Data as the next step in my cataloging and metadata career as a librarian. I've noticed that more job postings are emerging for linked data librarians, and I would like to know if there are community groups or mailing lists where I can learn and get started, even with little to no programming experience.

I believe that Linked Data represents the next evolution in libraries, cataloging, and metadata, especially as more libraries transition to platforms like FOLIO. Additionally, Alma is incorporating linked data elements, which I am currently engaging with in my position. 

I'm reaching out to find community resources or mentors in this growing field. Thank you!