Linked Data for Professional Education (LD4PE)- Enabling Librarians to Learn the Basics and Beyond

Abstract

While many learning resources have been developed to explain and support the use of Linked Data, they are often scattered and difficult to put into context for a library professional who may not be familiar with the concept of Linked Data, and lacks knowledge of where to start or what path to follow to accomplish their objectives.

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Linked Data for Professional Education (LD4PE) project is collecting and organizing these resources through a competency framework for Linked Data practice, exposed through a website (http://explore.dublincore.net) that is designed to support the structured discovery of learning resources for Linked Data by librarians and cultural heritage professionals.

Learning resources explaining specific professional competencies are being created, collected, and indexed according to the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind they embody. This will enable professionals of any skill level to find an entry point that will support their learning needs. The LD4PE website also provides a toolkit that enables the creation of learning maps expressing curricular structures or personal learning trajectories, allowing learners and instructors to approach the topic of Linked Data in the way that best suits their individual context.