Vocabulary Matching for Book Indexing Suggestion in Linked Libraries – A Prototype Implementation and Evaluation

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper, we report on a technology-transfer effort on using the Semantic Web (SW) technologies, esp. ontology matching, for solving a real-life library problem: book subject indexing. Our purpose is to streamline one library's book description process by suggesting new subjects based on descriptions created by other institutions, even when the vocabularies used are different. The case at hand concerns the National Library of the Netherlands (KB) and the network of Dutch local public libraries. We present a prototype subject suggestion tool, which is directly connected to the KB production cataloguing environment. We also report on the results of a user study and evaluation to assess the feasibility of exploiting state-of-the art techniques in such a reallife application. Our prototype demonstrates that SW components can be seamlessly plugged into the KB production environment, which potentially brings a higher level of flexibility and openness to networked Cultural Heritage (CH) institutions. Technical hurdles can be tackled and the suggested subjects are often relevant, opening up exciting new perspectives on the daily work of the KB. However, the general performance level should be made higher to warrant seamless embedding in the production environment-notably by considering more contextual metadata for the suggestion process.

A Web-Based Repository Service for Vocabularies and Alignments in the Cultural Heritage Domain

“…We then implemented an alignment-based annotation suggestion tool to support KB employees indexing new, undescribed or singly indexed books. Library indexers get access to a list of subject suggestions, which they can accept or reject on a subject per subject basis [21]. For concepts they feel are missing, the tool gives browsing access to the vocabulary service.…”

Towards a Methodology for Publishing Library Linked Data

“…Libraries and related institutions are therefore expected or forced by circumstances to be key players in building the new generation of the web called the semantic web or the web of data. [2] notes that Libraries have already taken a leading role in the application of semantic web technologies because they own well described collections of objects. Because of its ubiquity, scalability and simplicity, the web is recognized as the ideal medium to transform the way data is discovered, accessed, integrated and used.…”