Fall 2018

The UT Linked Data Informal Learning series from fall 2018 - spring 2020 was coordinated in large part by Itza Carbajal, Latin American Metadata Librarian for LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Special Collections, a branch of the University of Texas at Austin Libraries. To learn more about these series check the LD Informal Learning series section of the wiki.

Vision

This informal learning discussion group hopes to introduce a basic overview of linked data principles as they pertain to library, archives, and other cultural heritage work. As these spaces prepare to transition to using linked data concepts and technologies in an effort to utilize the full capabilities of the web, the University of Texas LLILAS Benson project staff team seeks to develop opportunities for all library staff to prepare themselves intellectually for these changes. Discussion participants should leave with solid grasp of how linked data applies to their work, a common understanding amongst themselves of what Linked Data is, as well as some core foundations including the role of URIs, RDF, and SPARQL in the semantic web. No prior knowledge of Linked Data needed

Continue learning at your own pace with the UT Linked Data Informal Learning Group Spring 2019 and Fall 2019 series.

Focus

Discussion topics will focus on Linked Data principles and their applications with a minor focus on triplestore, RDF (Resource Description Framework) and SPARQL, all foundational semantic web technologies. The focuses on RDF and SPARQL lay the foundation of the semantic web and most related web standards.

Discussion Topic Schedule

Discussion	Topics	Assignments or Notes	Presentation Slides
#1	Overview of Semantic web; Introduction to Linked Data principles; overview of triple statement; Hands on triple statement activity	readings; participants will create RDF statements using designated "resource" to present at next discussion	UTDiscussion1Slides_LinkedDataIntroduction2018.pdf
#2	Participants present triple statements and reflect on Linked Data readings; Overview of existing digital libraries/archives using linked data	readings; participants will explore (1) linked data case study to present to group	UTDiscussion2Slides_WhyLinkedData2018.pdf
#3	Participants present selected case study; Review the use of graphs with RDF data; Discuss benefits/pitfalls of transitioning and using linked data technologies and approaches	participants will explore readings on linked data formats and general how tos	UTDiscussion3Slides_LinkedDataApplication2018.pdf
#4	Overview of existing ontologies and linked data; Introduction to 2 RDF serialization (RDF XML & Turtle)	Participants will brainstorm 1-3 potential future topics or project for future informal discussion groups	UTDiscussion4Slides_LinkedDataImplementation2018.pdf
#5	Introduction to SPARQL (the query language for RDF), deep reflection of overall discussion topics, plan for report backs, identify further discussions topics	LAST DISCUSSION MEETUP	UTDiscussion5Slides_LinkedDataSPARQLnextSteps2018.pdf

Approaches

Discussion participants will use a mixed approach including readings, personal reflections, interactions with digital tools, individual hands on assignments, the Socratic Method, and presentation style debriefings from discussion group members.

Targeted Audience

This informal learning discussion group aims to attract current library and archival staff at the University of Texas at Austin in particular those currently working with digital libraries or digital archival collections. Attendees do not need to possess familiarity with linked data principles, but should be either aware of its existence or currently being in the planning stages of implementing all or some of the core principles. While this is the core-targeted group, discussions are open to the general UT community including faculty, staff, and students.

Objectives

Discussion participants should leave with solid grasp of what Linked Data is, how linked data applies to their work, and what sorts of environments does linked data manifests itself in. Participants will also learn the basic concepts of the RDF framework and SPARQL, a querying language for RDF. These two discussions will also cover common ontologies used in RDF, basic tools for querying RDF files, and how RDF can be represented in various formats such as XML format, JSON-LD, and Turtle.

Discussion Dates Schedule + Slides

Discussions will be held bi-weekly between the months of August through October of 2018 lasting roughly 1 hour each in the same location. Times, locations, and dates are subject to change, please refer to the calendar invite or this webpage for the most up to date information.

Discussion	DATE	TIME	LOCATION	Notes
#1	Monday, August 13th, 2018	9:30 - 10:30 am	UT PCL 1.340	30 minutes at the end for break out discussions or reflections
#2	Monday, September 10th, 2018	9:30 - 10:30 am	UT PCL 1.340	30 minutes at the end for break out discussions or reflections
#3	Monday, September 24th, 2018	9:30 - 10:30 am	UT PCL 1.340	30 minutes at the end for break out discussions or reflections
#4	Monday, October 1st, 2018	9:30 - 10:30 am	UT PCL 1.340	30 minutes at the end for break out discussions or reflections
#5	Monday, October 15th, 2018	9:30 - 10:30 am	UT PCL 1.340	LAST MEETUP

Assignment Details (assignments will be confirmed during discussions with details posted here 24 hours after discussion meeting ends)

DISCUSSION #1 Take Home Practice: Create triple statement(s) using the designated “resource” as the subject. Participants were given a resource from the following choices: University of Texas Austin; LLILAS Benson; UT PCL; School of Information; Texas Union Building; Texas Exes; Burnt Orange; Austin, Texas

DISCUSSION #2 Take Home Practice: Select 1 case study from the UT Box Reading List and create a 1-3 minutes lightning style presentation to share at the next discussion. Presentation style can be slides, demo, or verbal summary of reading.

DISCUSSION #3 Take Home Practice: Browse through readings on RDF formats and general guidelines on how to create, manage, and present linked data

DISCUSSION #4 Take Home Practice: Draft up 1-3 potential topics, projects, or initiatives that build upon concepts learned through this informal learning group. Will bring up at the final discussion in hopes of finalizing next steps.

Linked Data Examples

TITLE	URL	Video Resources
Europeana + data.europeana	https://www.europeana.eu/portal/en	https://youtu.be/BgLW8fd1M0I
DBpedia	https://wiki.dbpedia.org/about
Schema.org + Google Knowledge Graph	https://schema.org/	https://youtu.be/mmQl6VGvX-c
DIVE	http://dive.frontwise.com/ http://diveplus.frontwise.com/
Biblioteca Nacional de España	http://datos.bne.es/inicio.html
Bibliothèque Nationale de France	http://data.bnf.fr/

Aggregated Informal Learning Resources

DOWNLOAD UT Linked Data informal learning group fall 2018 reading bibliography: https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/75689
DOWNLOAD Comprehensive UT Linked data informal learning group readings: https://utexas.box.com/v/UT-LearnLinkedData

Online Readings

Linked Data: Evolving the Web into a Global Data Space - http://linkeddatabook.com/editions/1.0/#htoc17
Why Linked Data - https://wiki.duraspace.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=43910411
Linked data for libraries - https://www.ifla.org/best-practice-for-national-bibliographic-agencies-in-a-digital-age/node/8549
UCLA Semantic Web and Linked Data Research Guide - http://guides.library.ucla.edu/semantic-web
Drupal Introduction to RDF - https://www.drupal.org/docs/8/core/modules/rdf/rdf-introduction