Perceptions of Librarians Regarding Semantic Web and Linked Data Technologies

2018

MJLIS

This study aims to explore librarians' perspective about the adoption of Linked Data technologies along with their level of interest to adopt these technologies in Pakistani university libraries. It also identifies their perceived hindrances that obstruct them to adopt and effectively implement Linked Data technologies in libraries. This is a quantitative study based on survey research design. To meet the objective of the study, a self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Findings show that university librarians believe in the effective adoption of Linked Data technology in libraries. They perceive that Linked Data technology can enhance navigation between the traditional online tools to access library resources and Linked Data will soon be the standard for creating metadata and records for information resources management in libraries. They are eager to attend events about Linked Data application in their libraries and willing to explore ways to incorporate Linked Data standards in bibliographic records management as well. Barriers do exist such as the general lack of awareness of basic Linked Data concepts and best practices for this emerging technology. To foster the research and to set Linked Data best practices in libraries and other cultural heritage institutions, there is a potential to invest in this area in terms of financial and social capital.

Section: Challenges To Implement Linked Data Technology In Librariescontrasting

confidence: 99%

Adoption of linked data technologies among university librarians in Pakistan: Challenges and prospects

2018

MJLIS

“…Greenberg and Robertson (2002) conducted a study on the creation of metadata best practices among researchers and explored their views on collaborating with cataloguers to jointly create metadata. However, a couple of studies surveyed the library community and polled their views about the challenges faced in the implementation of LD technology on library catalogue and library services (LaPolla, 2013; McKenna et al , 2018; Warraich and Rorissa, 2018).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of linked data technologies in libraries: Pakistani information professionals’ attitudes and perceptions

2020

Purpose This study aims to ascertain the information professionals’ perceptions and attitudes towards the application of linked data (LD) technologies in libraries in the context of a developing country. It also explores the Pakistani information professionals’ level of familiarity with LD concepts, plans and efforts in its application, along with its potential benefits. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire survey was used to identify the information professionals’ perceived level of familiarity with LD concepts and benefits to implement LD in libraries, and their plans and efforts to adopt LD technologies. A questionnaire was developed to meet the objective of the study and collect data from the purposefully selected professionals (N = 86) working in university libraries in Pakistan. SPSS was used to analyse the data set. Findings Findings show that LD application in libraries is still not common among Pakistani information professionals. They have a moderate level of understanding with semantic Web (SW) and LD key concepts. The respondents were positive about the potential benefits of implementing LD technology in libraries, such as assisting patrons to discover relevant information, enriching traditional bibliographic records, enhancing the visibility and discoverability of library data and improving the users’ overall search experiences that may foster future developments. Overall, the respondents’ institutions were on different levels of planning – from working on a plan to having a finalized plan. The findings emphasized establishing the SW’s potential in library services. Research limitations/implications There are certain limitations of this study. Firstly, the population is Pakistani information professionals who are purposefully selected. Secondly, the findings reveal that the respondents’ understanding with LD concepts, opinions about LD, plans and efforts to its application along with its potential benefits in libraries are self-perceived and not tested in any way and they were not actually implementing these technologies in their institutions because of a lack of best practices. It is a quantitative study and it will serve as a baseline study, even though there is a need to conduct more in-depth qualitative studies in the information environment to explore the phenomenon. Social implications This study will guide information professionals and policymakers to take initiatives towards the implementation of LD technology in libraries. It may also lead to further research to understand the perceptions of information professionals so that appropriate training and advocacy programmes can be developed to promote LD initiatives in libraries. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first known empirical study in the context of a developing country. It clearly demonstrates the Pakistani information professionals’ perceptions regarding the library LD and associated plans along with potential benefits to implement it.

“…Among the five statements about barriers to implementing Linked Data technologies in Pakistani libraries, the statement on the general lack of awareness about Linked Data among librararians in Pakistan received the highest mean level of agreement (5.92) with a standard deviation of 1.3. The second and third highest rated statements have to do with lack of best practices, something LaPolla () found as well, and Linked Data being too new and unproven, at least in libraries, respectively. These findings slightly differ from those of LaPolla () who found finances and cost to be among the major hinderances.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The second and third highest rated statements have to do with lack of best practices, something LaPolla () found as well, and Linked Data being too new and unproven, at least in libraries, respectively. These findings slightly differ from those of LaPolla () who found finances and cost to be among the major hinderances.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Readiness for and barriers to implementation of linked data by Pakistani libraries

Proc. Assoc. Info. Sci. Tech.

2018

The extant literature adequately documents Linked Data initiatives primarily undertaken and implemented in information environments and cultural institutions in Europe and North America. Information professionals play crucial roles in implementing those initiatives that can potentially improve access to knowledge and information. In order to gauge the level of Linked Data application in libraries and have a broader and global understanding, it is important that researchers also explore this topic in the context of libraries in developing countries. Accordingly, our aim in the current study was to assess the willingness and level of interest in the application of Linked Data by librarians in Pakistan as well as determine their perceptions of the barriers to Linked Data application in their respective libraries. A survey of information professionals in Pakistan showed a broad interest in implementing Linked Data technologies, while acknowledging that potential barriers exist. Where there is a skills gap, participants were willing to attend events to learn more about the technologies and their applications in libraries. These and other dynamics could have implications for the prospects of Linked Data applications in Pakistani libraries.