LD4 Conference on Linked Data in Libraries: Call for Participation

2019 May 10-11

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Linked data promises to expose the richness of library collections to the world, and to open up new pathways to knowledge based on previously unlinked data. After a decade of experimentation and pilot projects, what are the next steps to move to large-scale production of linked data? How can the library community learn from and contribute to other communities who are working toward similar goals? The 2019 LD4 Conference, to be held May 10-11 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, aims to bring practitioners together to collaborate on creating pathways to implementation of linked data in libraries.

The Program Committee seeks participation that will bring diverse and broad perspectives. We invite both aspiring and experienced practitioners to apply to participate in this event, including:

• librarians working (or aspiring to work with) linked data
  
• representatives from adjacent cultural heritage spaces including archives and museums
  
• ontologists and data modelers
  
• software engineers and user experience professionals interested in library metadata
  
• open knowledge advocates
  
• and others who share an interest in implementing linked data in libraries
  

We especially encourage applications from participants from groups and regions that are traditionally underrepresented in conferences related to libraries and linked data, as well as applications from early career professionals.

Because this is an evolving space with many learners and few who are “experts” in everything that will help to move us forward, this event seeks to engage all attendees as active participants. “Participation” can take many forms: 

• delivering a presentation on current work
  
• giving a lightning talk
  
• leading a hands-on tutorial
  
• demonstrating a tool 
  
• working on a defined project in collaborative environment 
  
• facilitating a working session 
  
• engaging in an in-depth discussion session, including helping to shape new learning resources, or meeting with participants with similar skill levels and goals
  
• and more
  

The Program Committee will select participants and will design the agenda based on the applications received.

Thanks to the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, there is no registration fee for this conference, and a limited number of stipends are available to make participation possible for those who would not otherwise be able to attend.

To apply to participate (in any of the ways listed above, including attending and engaging but not presenting or leading) please complete the Application to Participate (which includes the funding application) by February 8, 2019. The Program Committee will notify applicants of decisions (including funding) by February 28, 2019.

For questions about the LD4 Conference, please contact the conference co-chairs at ld4conf_chairs@googlegroups.com

For more information on the event, please visit this preliminary webpage.

********************

Michelle Futornick (Stanford University) and Jason Kovari (Cornell University), Conference Co-Chairs