The State of Linked Data

Abstract

The IFLA Advisory Committee on Standards hosted a symposium on metadata, with the theme “Metadata Standards Matter: Building a Sustainable Future for Information” at the National Library of Greece, Athens, on 19 March 2025. This presentation falls under the Technology Matters subtheme which focuses on the technological advancements that support metadata standards and emerging technologies, including AI.

In this presentation, three professionals in academic archives share their initial findings from a 2024 study assessing the uptake of linked data technologies for cultural heritage description in the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) community. The study was designed as an online survey and asked respondents about both their and their institution's experiences with linked data, distinguishing between private and institutional experimentation, pilot programs, and implementation in production. Respondents also answered questions about their training in or understanding of linked data as an information technology and user service. The survey was answered by 500 professionals across the spectrum of occupations, from data managers and system administrators to archivists, librarians, curators, researchers, consultants, and more. Respondents from 27 countries, biased towards North America and Europe but including colleagues from every continent, shared their experiences.