Application of linked data technologies in digital libraries: a review of literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahid Raza ◽  
Khalid Mahmood ◽  
Nosheen Fatima Warraich
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Web ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Linked Data ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
National Library ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Web

Purpose This paper aims to describe how linked data technologies can change the digital library collections, what are the benefits of linked data applications in digital libraries and what are the challenges of digital libraries in linked data environment. Design/methodology/approach The present study is based on substantial literature review on the applications of linked data technologies in digital libraries. The search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Google Scholar were used to find the relevant literature for the study. Online databases such as Pro Quest, Science Direct, Emerald and JSTORE were also used to find the relevant literature of the study. Databases of Library Sciences Library and Information Science and Technology Abstracts and Library Information Science Abstracts were also used to find the relevant literature of the study. Library, linked data technologies, Semantic Web, digital library and digital collections were the main keywords which were used to find the relevant literature for the study. Findings The evolution of linked data technologies and Semantic Web has changed the traditional role of the libraries. Traditional libraries are converting into digital libraries and digital libraries are in a struggle to publish their resources on the Web using XML-based metadata standards. It has made capable the digital collections to be viewed by machines on the Web just like human. On the emergence of linked data applications in digital libraries, Web visibility of the libraries has been enhanced to provide the opportunities for the users to find their required quality information of libraries round-the-clock on the Web. National Library of France, National Library of Spain, Europeana, Digital Public Library of Americana, Library of Congress and The British Library have taken the initiatives to publish their resources on the Web using linked data technologies. Originality/value This study present several key issues for policy makers, software developers, decision makers and library administrators about linked data technologies and its implementations in digital libraries. The present study may play its role to facilitate the users of the Web who are enthusiastically interested to exploit the quality and authentic library resources on the Web round-the-clock. Search engines will also achieve their longstanding goal to exploit the quality resources of the libraries for their Web users to make their Web appearance more credible and trustworthy.

Building digital collections in a public university library in Ghana: priority-setting and user needs assessment

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesba Yaa Anima Adzobu
Keyword(s):  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Priority Setting ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Communities ◽  
Library User

Purpose – Although user needs assessment is an intrinsic element of service quality delivery in digital libraries (DLs), not much has been written on this topic in the context of African universities. This is understandable as academic digital libraries in Africa are rather nascent. Even so, the most frequently-used needs assessment methods do not directly involve the users. This study aims to assess priority setting by academic library administrators and the needs of patrons of digital collections of a public university library in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Analysis of official university documents and interviews with digital library patrons at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana were carried out between September, 2011 and January, 2012. Five research questions were asked: what are the current conditions of the UCC digital library project, the user communities and their needs, what are the priorities set by the university administrators and library leaders at the UCC and the state of technological readiness in place and what are needed by the UCCDL. Also, what is the extent of collaboration by interested parties in the UCCDL? Findings – Three general digital library user communities were identified, that is, UCCDL staff- this community was composed of experts in both digital library systems and content, characterized as heavy users of the existing systems, as knowledgeable about articulated (formalized) user needs, and able to devote short (usually less than two hours) amounts of time to individual's needs. Next, are scholars and other visitors to the UCCDL – this community was characterized as having high levels of domain expertise and knowledge of library systems. They are also able to devote large but specific amounts of time (days or weeks) to their individual information needs. Visitors/Prospective users- this community was characterized as having varied levels of domain expertise and low levels of library systems knowledge. They are able to devote only short periods of time to their information needs or explorations. These user communities are influenced by diverse preferences, experiences, and knowledge structures. Practical implications – Academic libraries are increasingly advocating local user studies as a way to provide the digital library services that are relevant to the culture and user population of the academic institution. Replicating digital library user studies at the local level can provide information for improving existing services or developing new ones. Originality/value – In African public universities, there is little earlier research on digital library user needs assessments or DL priority-setting by academic library administrators.

Semantic Web and Digital Libraries

2011 ◽  
pp. 271-285
Author(s):  
Giorgio Poletti
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Web ◽  
Data Warehouse ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Specialized Software ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Access To Documents ◽  
The Web

An analysis of the reality surrounding us clearly reveals the great amount of information, available in different forms and through different media. Volumes of information available in real time and via the Web are concepts perceived as closely related. This perception is supported by the remark that the objective of the Web was the definition and construction of a universal archive, a virtual site in which the access to documents was possible with no limits of time or space. In this digital library, documents have to be equipped with logical connections making possible for each user the definition of a reading map that expands according to the demand for knowledge gradually built up. This perspective is pointing now in the direction of the Semantic Web, a network satisfying our requests while understanding them, not by some magic telepathic communication between browser and navigator, but rather a data warehouse in which documents are matched to meta-data,1 letting specialized software to distinguish fields, importance, and correlation between documents. Semantic Web and library terms have an ever increasing close relationship, fundamental for the progress and the didactic efficiency in knowledge society.

An evaluation of digital library education in library and information science curriculum in Nigerian universities

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuma Clement Okeji ◽  
Okeoghene Mayowa-Adebara
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Science Curriculum ◽  
Library And Information Science ◽  
University Administrators ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Education ◽  
Library Skills

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the library school’s curriculum in Nigeria with the aim of comparing it with international and national library and information science (LIS) guidelines regarding provision of “digital libraries” course. Design/methodology/approach This study covered 31 universities offering LIS approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The main instrument for data collection for the study was analysis of departmental documents containing the LIS curriculum. Second, some library and information science educators from universities that were yet to integrate the course digital libraries in their LIS curriculum were interviewed. Findings This study revealed that majority of the library schools offer the course “digital libraries” or related areas as core course in their curricula. However, only few library schools have computer laboratories for students to enhance digital library skills. Some LIS educators in the library schools identified challenges such as lack of qualified information and communication technology (ICT) staff to handle the course coupled with lack of computer laboratories equipped with modern computers with stable internet facilities in the LIS departments in Nigeria. Practical implications The findings from this study may inform curriculum revision and updating efforts to make it more relevant by incorporating a stand-alone course on “digital libraries” and provision of computer laboratories in the LIS departments to produce future ICT/digital librarians. Originality/value If university administrators, decision-making body in the departments and LIS educators understand the factors that are currently standing in the way of integrating a course on digital libraries, then those barriers can be removed or lowered. If the enabling factors are appreciated, then actions can be taken to stimulate the implementation of the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN)/NUC recommendations in all library schools in Nigerian universities.

Synthesizing visual digital library research to formulate a user-centered evaluation framework

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 122-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Albertson
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Research ◽  
Generalized Framework ◽  
Library Evaluation ◽  
User Centered

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to synthesize prior user-centered research to develop and present a generalized framework for evaluating visual, i.e. both image and video digital libraries. The primary objectives include comprehensively examining the current state of visual digital library research to: develop a generalized framework applicable for designing user-centered evaluations of visual digital libraries; identify influential experimental factors warranting assessment evaluation as part of specific contexts; and provide examples of applied methods that have been used in research, demonstrating notable findings. Design/methodology/approach – The framework presented in the present study depicts a set of user-centered methodological considerations and examples, synthesized from a review of prior research that provides significant understanding of users and uses of visual information. Findings – Primary components for digital library evaluation, pertaining to user, interaction, system and domain and topic, and their implications for interactive research are presented. Methods, examples and discussion are presented for each primary evaluation component of the framework. Practical implications – Previously applied evaluations and their significance are described and presented as part of the developed framework, providing the importance of each component for practical application in future research and development of interactive visual digital libraries. Originality/value – Visual digital libraries warrant individual assessment, apart from other types of digital collections, as they offer users more ways to retrieve and interact with collection items. The present study complements prior digital library evaluation research by demonstrating the need for a separate framework due to variations influenced by visual information and reporting on evaluations from different perspectives.

Semantic Web and ontology-based applications for digital libraries

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 826-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shakeel Ahmad Khan ◽  
Rubina Bhatti
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Web ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Web Applications ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Semantic Web Technologies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Web Technologies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore useful Semantic Web technologies and ontology-based applications for digital libraries. It also investigates the perceptions of university librarians and academicians in Pakistan about Semantic Web technologies and their use in digital libraries. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory research design based on Delphi research strategy was conducted to answer the research questions. Interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 50 key informants including university librarians and academicians to explore their perceptions about Semantic Web technologies and their use in digital libraries. Thematic analysis of interview data was conducted to obtain results. Findings The results of this paper showed that DuraCloud, Semantic information mashup, OntoEdit and resource description framework (RDF) are the various Semantic Web applications which are useful for digital libraries to develop semantic relationships among digital contents and increase their accessibility in the web environment. Findings revealed that Semantic Web provides precise results and meets user information needs in an effective way. Results also showed that next-generation digital libraries use context-awareness technology, intelligent agent software and detecting sensors to analyze user information needs and provide dynamic information services. This paper recommended that librarians should embrace the use of emerging web technologies in libraries and offer library services through the medium of the web. Practical implications This paper envisaged the future of digital library services and Semantic Web applications that can be used to re-structure metadata of digital library. This paper has practical implications for librarians to consider the useful applications of Semantic Web for digital library and enhance the interoperability of metadata among heterogeneous information systems. Practically, results obtained from this paper are highly useful for library schools and LIS teachers to up-date their curriculum by incorporating new contents related to web languages and Semantic Web applications for digital libraries. Originality/value This paper identifies various Semantic Web applications which are useful for developing Semantic Digital Libraries.

Ciência da Informação e Humanidades Digitais

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCISCO CARLOS PALETTA
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Digital Humanities ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Web Of Data ◽  
The University ◽  
The Web

This work aims to presents partial results on the research project conducted at the Observatory of the Labor Market in Information and Documentation, School of Communications and Arts of the University of São Paulo on Information Science and Digital Humanities. Discusses Digital Humanities and informational literacy. Highlights the evolution of the Web, the digital library and its connections with Digital Humanities. Reflects on the challenges of the Digital Humanities transdisciplinarity and its connections with the Information Science. This is an exploratory study, mainly due to the current and emergence of the theme and the incipient bibliography existing both in Brazil and abroad.Keywords: Digital Humanities; Information Science; Transcisciplinrity; Information Literacy; Web of Data; Digital Age.

Understanding Semantic Web: a conceptual model

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 82-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Calaresu ◽  
Ali Shiri
Keyword(s):  
Semantic Web ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
The Body ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
Web Architecture ◽  
The Web

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to explore and conceptualize the Semantic Web as a term that has been widely mentioned in the literature of library and information science. More specifically, its aim is to shed light on the evolution of the Web and to highlight a previously proposed means of attempting to improve automated manipulation of Web-based data in the context of a rapidly expanding base of both users and digital content. Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual analysis presented in this paper adopts a three-dimensional model for the discussion of Semantic Web. The first dimension focuses on Semantic Web’s basic nature, purpose and history, as well as the current state and limitations of modern search systems and related software agents. The second dimension focuses on critical knowledge structures such as taxonomies, thesauri and ontologies which are understood as fundamental elements in the creation of a Semantic Web architecture. In the third dimension, an alternative conceptual model is proposed, one, which unlike more commonly prevalent Semantic Web models, offers a greater emphasis on describing the proposed structure from an interpretive viewpoint, rather than a technical one. This paper adopts an interpretive, historical and conceptual approach to the notion of the Semantic Web by reviewing the literature and by analyzing the developments associated with the Web over the past three decades. It proposes a simplified conceptual model for easy understanding. Findings – The paper provides a conceptual model of the Semantic Web that encompasses four key strata, namely, the body of human users, the body of software applications facilitating creation and consumption of documents, the body of documents themselves and a proposed layer that would improve automated manipulation of Web-based data by the software applications. Research limitations/implications – This paper will facilitate a better conceptual understanding of the Semantic Web, and thereby contribute, in a small way, to the larger body of discourse surrounding it. The conceptual model will provide a reference point for education and research purposes. Originality/value – This paper provides an original analysis of both conceptual and technical aspects of Semantic Web. The proposed conceptual model provides a new perspective on this subject.

A QoS-aware approach for runtime discovery, selection and composition of semantic web services

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Garg ◽  
Kirit Modi ◽  
Sanjay Chaudhary
Keyword(s):  
Web Services ◽  
Semantic Web ◽  
Web Service ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Service Discovery ◽  
Semantic Web Services ◽  
Functional Requirements ◽  
Semantic Description ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Web

Purpose Web services play vital role in the development of emerging technologies such as Cloud computing and Internet of Things. Although, there is a close relationship among the discovery, selection and composition tasks of Web services, research community has treated these challenges at individual level rather to focus on them collectively for developing efficient solution, which is the purpose of this work. This paper aims to propose an approach to integrate the service discovery, selection and composition of Semantic Web services on runtime basis. Design/methodology/approach The proposed approach defined as a quality of service (QoS)-aware approach is based on QoS model to perform discovery, selection and composition tasks at runtime to enhance the user satisfaction and quality guarantee by incorporating non-functional parameters such as response time and throughput with the Web services and user request. In this paper, the proposed approach is based on ontology for semantic description of Web services, which provides interoperability and automation in the Web services tasks. Findings This work proposed an integrated framework of Web service discovery, selection and composition which supports end user to search, select and compose the Web services at runtime using semantic description and non-functional requirements. The proposed approach is evaluated by various data sets from the Web Service Challenge 2009 (WSC-2009) to show the efficiency of this work. A use case scenario of Healthcare Information System is implemented using proposed work to demonstrate the usability and requirement the proposed approach. Originality/value The main contribution of this paper is to develop an integrated approach of Semantic Web services discovery, selection and composition by using the non-functional requirements.

A study on next‐generation digital library using context‐awareness technology

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younghee Noh
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Context Awareness ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Context Aware ◽  
Semantic Retrieval ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Climate Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Services

PurposeThis study seeks to examine the concepts of context, context‐awareness, and context‐awareness technology needed for applying context‐awareness technology to the next‐generation of digital libraries, and proposed context‐aware services that can be applied to any situation by illustrating some library contexts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigated both theoretical research and case analysis studies before suggesting a service model for context‐awareness‐based libraries by examining the context, context‐awareness, and context‐awareness technology in depth.FindingsThis paper derived possible library services which could be provided if context‐awareness services are implemented by examining and analyzing case studies and systems constructed in other fields. A library‐applied context‐aware system could recognize users entering the library and provide optimal services tailored to each situation for both new and existing users. In addition, the context‐awareness‐based library could provide context‐awareness‐based reference services, context‐awareness‐based loan services, and cater to other user needs in the stacks, research space, and a variety of other information spaces. The context‐awareness‐based library could also recognize users in need of emergency assistance by detecting the user's behavior, movement path, and temperature, etc. Comfort or climate‐control services could provide the user with control of the temperature, humidity, illumination and other environmental elements to fit the circumstances of users, books, and instruments through context‐aware technology.Practical implicationsNext‐generation digital libraries apply new concepts such as semantic retrieval, real‐time web, cloud computing, mobile web, linked data, and context‐awareness. Context‐awareness‐based libraries can provide applied context‐awareness access service, reactive space according to the user's access, applied context‐awareness lobbies, applied context‐awareness reference services, and applied context‐awareness safety services, context‐awareness‐based comfort services and so on.Originality/valueReal instances of libraries applying context‐aware technology are few, according to the investigative results of this study. The study finds that the next‐generation digital library using context‐awareness technology can provide the best possible service for the convenience of its users.

scholarly journals Digital Library and Intellectual Issues—Issues in Copyright and Intellectual Property

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Mohammad Niqresh
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Property Rights ◽  
Intellectual Property Rights ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Digital Resources ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Web

The study aims at identifying the concept of digital library, it also tries to shed the light on the most significant intellectual issues by presenting its definition, development, functions (selection and acquisition of information resources from the web, sources indexing, communication and management of intellectual property rights, production of electronic resources and its availability, and digital resources maintaining), characteristics, and the purpose of turning into digital library, passed by the proposed stages of digital library transition, Types of Intellectual Property (Copyright, Patents, Trademarks, Commercial Secrets), it also discusses copyrights and intellectual property, the problems and challenges of digital library, and finally the future of digital library. Many researchers agree that the main objective of the digital library is to accomplish all the functions of the traditional library, but in the form of electronic digital libraries which are only an extension for jobs that are performed and the resources that are accessible in digital library. The study concluded that digital libraries emerged as an obligatory result of revolution of the third millennium which is called the communications revolution, as libraries are able to prove that they are able to stand and cope with all the modern technology, where there is no conflict between the new and modern trends in libraries issue, but it also benefits from both of them concerning their evolution instruments in service for beneficiaries in every time and place.

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