2024: A year of accelerating linked data

2024 was a significant year for library metadata management, and OCLC’s global community played a leading role.

For years, linked data has been a vision for connecting the knowledge in library collections to knowledge streams that inform our everyday lives—on the web, through smart devices, and using technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Thanks to many years of collaboration and focused development, that is now a reality.

Libraries face complex data environments, scattered identifiers, and a lack of tools to fully embrace the value of linked data. OCLC invested in the infrastructure, tools, and community-informed expertise to support all libraries through this metadata management transformation.

And we’re just getting started. 2025 will bring even more progress, but first, let’s summarize the progress made—and why it matters. 

Strengthening library data at scale and evolving WorldCat as a sustainable linked data infrastructure

As online methods for discovery and research rapidly evolve, data and a stable, scalable foundation to support new ways of facilitating the creation and sharing of knowledge in library communities are more important than ever. That’s why we’re building on WorldCat®, enriching WorldCat records with linked data, and creating tools that integrate seamlessly with workflows—to contextualize and connect the information in libraries to the wider knowledge ecosystem.

• We grew the WorldCat Entities dataset to more than 150 million entities, and transformed the Dewey Decimal Classification® (DDC®) system into linked data as a foundation for “concept” entities. Establishing context for bibliographic data curation with uniform resource identifiers (URIs) for Works, Persons, Places, Organizations, Concepts, and Events, and creating a new layer of relationships for knowledge graphs that power discovery.
• We added more than 400 million WorldCat Entities URIs to bibliographic records, connecting MARC data to linked data, creating new discovery pathways, and future-proofing library collections.
• We published the WorldCat ontology, a data model that powers the WorldCat Entities environment, strengthens resource connections, supports library workflows, and enhances web visibility and partnerships. 

By evolving WorldCat to support linked data integration, we’re enabling linked data creation at an unmatched scale while facilitating interoperability across systems. Our ecosystem fosters shared, collaborative management and streamlined workflows.

Integrating linked data into library workflows

We’ve created a set of sophisticated tools to add valuable linked data elements to existing records and workflows.

• WorldCat Entities URIs are now automatically included in MARC records exported through WorldShare® Record Manager, Connexion®, the WorldCat Metadata API, Z39.50, and WorldShare Collection Manager. This means WorldCat records are seamlessly enriched with linked data, enabling connection to wider knowledge streams without disrupting workflows.
• We launched OCLC Meridian®, a web application and suite of APIs designed for creating, curating, and connecting linked data entities. Meridian makes linked data more accessible than ever, whether it’s managed individually or at a larger scale. This allows users to create WorldCat Entities for their unique materials, further exposing these materials to the wider world.
• New functionality in WorldShare Record Manager allows users to insert their own WorldCat Entities URIs into MARC records at the point of use—no workflow changes required. Adding this capability provides library workers with the ability to further enrich metadata and support the library community in its shift to linked data.
• Connexion and Record Manager now automatically add WorldCat Entities URIs during the controlling process, improving metadata consistency and efficiency.
• WorldCat.org now displays author cards with WorldCat Entities URIs in search results, laying the foundation for deeper linked data integration in discovery services.

Harnessing collective expertise

In 2024, we brought together libraries, library groups, community partners, and OCLC teams at a variety of venues and events to collaborate and provide critical input that continues to guide our linked data development efforts.

• We engaged libraries worldwide through OCLC-hosted events like the Cataloging Community Meeting and Virtual AskQC Office Hours.
• We shared insights at conferences, including PIDfest, LD4, BIBFRAME Workshop in Europe, and the ALA Annual Conference.
• We invited library professionals to participate in user research for our linked data products and services, ensuring our tools evolve with real-world needs.

What’s coming in 2025?

We’re building on the momentum with new advancements in data, infrastructure, and tools. We’ll continue to collaborate with expertise in the library community to make linked data even more accessible, further bridging the gap between fixed-format data and linked data. And, recognizing that each library will determine when it moves toward the linked data environment, we will maintain parallel MARC services and applications for the foreseeable future. 

To accomplish this, here’s where we’re focusing in 2025:

Data

• Enhancing discovery experiences by allowing users to search using new indexes for WorldCat Entities URIs
• Refining BIBFRAME ingest and export in WorldCat, ensuring smoother integration between MARC records and BIBFRAME data

Infrastructure

• Integrating WorldCat Entities URIs into discovery services, enabling users to search for works by or about a specific person—creating more intuitive and rich search experiences
• Adding WorldCat Entities URIs and Dewey® URIs in bibliographic records, further strengthening relationships between current bibliographic workflows and linked data value for discovery experiences

Tools

• Advancing the development of our BIBFRAME editor with user research and partner testing

Expertise

We’ll continue to bring together libraries, other community partners, and OCLC teams to ensure highly valuable metadata expertise connects to and enhances the broader knowledge ecosystem.

• Collaborating with library standards groups to develop and promote best practices
• Engaging the global library community at conferences and events, highlighting the impact of linked data on library services

We’re excited about our plans for the rest of this year, and we look forward to sharing our progress with you.