2022 LD4 Conference on Linked Data

Library and Information Scientists’ technical skill-sets and ethical best practices are well suited to the task of connecting cultural and scientific data sets towards vital environmental action. As COVID-19 and drastic as well as chronic climate changes signal immediate global challenges, all sectors must contribute knowledge and skills towards urgent action. Libraries preserve and share cultural and scientific knowledge, but silos, paywalls, or inadequate data linking methodologies or skills inhibit discovery, cross-fertilization, or reciprocal knowledge sharing. This brainstorming session will engage linked data professionals in envisioning concrete action plans towards creating and sustaining a database of biocultural knowledge. This will build on a formal (Journal of Documentation) call made to Library and Information communities in 2022. Traditional, Local, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems have relevant, time-tested, unique, and often fragile environmental stewardship information that have often been ignored or suppressed. Scientific or academic knowledge and publications are often closed off, through costly subscriptions or inadequate digital infrastructures, from exploration by communities. Enabling cross-sharing of knowledge, linked data facilitation could engage academic and local communities in ongoing climate action—supporting exploration of intangible and biocultural heritage traditions and promoting collaborations among GLAM practitioners, citizen scientists, and citizen social scientists.