Explore the work of the Linked Data Task Force

Purpose

The main purpose of this Task Force was to show the value for aggregators of interlinking heterogeneous data from various sources and guide them and their network of cultural heritage institutions with recommendations and guidelines to implement Linked Data. It provided use cases for Linked Data by exploring the use of RDF for semantically enhanced data and APIs as an interoperability platform for these data. A proof of concept was be developed to demonstrate the technical implementability of the solution.

The Task Force brought together and organised all relevant documentation (guidelines and best practices) for fostering and implementing Linked Data towards aggregators.

The Task Force experimented with the development of the proof of concept of how one can browse data expressed in different models within one same interface and how various sets of mappings towards EDM can be handled within one interface. The proof of concept allowed the user to query the metadata in their source semantic model or EDM via a SPARQL endpoint. The Task Force used the results of previous initiatives in the area of Linked Data.

Expected outcomes

The Task Force had three main objectives:

1. Show the value of building a Linked Data Environment
2. Share guidelines and good practices that have been identified for:
   • Semantic standards
   • Security & Privacy
   • RDB to graph mechanisms
   • Explorative views and visualisation of LoD
   • Performance and scalability
3. Develop a proof of concept
   • Guide aggregators to build their own Linked Data Environment
   • Deploy a user-friendly SPARQL query builder interface
   • Deploy a query federation mechanism
   • Create metadata for Datasets

Dissemination plan

The Task Force kicked off virtually during early November 2023, and its scope and objectives were presented to the Europeana Aggregators' Forum. Results were disseminated at the 2023 Europeana Conference. 

The Task Force aimed to organise at least one webinar, publish a EuropeanaTech Insight issue and communicate the results through news posts. A paper detailing the proof of concept was prepared and shared as one of the outcomes of the Task Force.

• Alexandros Chortaras (National Technical University of Athens)
• Thomas Francart (Sparna)
• Seth Van Holland (SEMIC - DIGIT)
• Pavlina Fragkou (SEMIC - DIGIT)