Zepheira Introduces Libhub Initiative to Help Increase Web Visibility of Libraries

As you’ll read below both the Denver Public Library and the Multnomah County Public Library have been working with Zepheria on the development of the Libhub Initiative to this point.
From Today’s Announcement:

As a founding sponsor, Zepheira’s introduction of the Libhub Initiative creates an industry-wide focus on the collective visibility of libraries and their resources on the Web. Libraries and memory organizations have rich content and resources that the Web can not see or use. The Libhub Initiative aims to find common ground for libraries, providers, and partners to publish and use data with non-proprietary, web standards.
Libraries can then communicate in a way Web applications understand and Web users can see through the use of enabling technology like Linked Data and shared vocabularies such as schema.org and BIBFRAME.
The Libhub Initiative uniquely prioritizes the linking of these newly exposed library resources to each other and to other resources across the Web, a critical requirement of increased Web visibility.
Denver Public Library took an early leadership position in support the Libhub Initiative’s introduction, and purchased Zepheira’s solutions in education, assessment, and implementation to kickstart their organization’s Linked Data transformation. Michelle Jeske, Director of Collections, Technology and Innovation at Denver Public Library said, “The Denver Public Library is excited to partner with Zepheira in this important collaborative endeavor. Libraries need to find new ways of reaching out and demonstrating that they truly are where their people need them, which includes Google and other search engines. Being able to showcase our rich collections and fabulous Western History and Genealogy resources more readily on the web is very exciting — and timely. This initiative will make these resources more discoverable and the library more relevant and accessible in the eyes of our community. We encourage other libraries to join soon, so we make impact quickly!”
Vailey Oehlke, Director of Libraries for Multnomah County Library, president-elect of the Public Library Association (PLA), and an early Libhub Initiative supporter stated, “Libraries have long been the greatest free source of information ​in this country. However, as people increasingly turn to Google and others for their information needs, we see that role diminishing. In part that is because​ our data is largely dark to the Internet, held in proprietary catalog systems that create barriers to discovery. The Libhub Initiative offers ​the possibility​ of making library holdings discoverable directly through search engines. That’s an important step forward for libraries, and for our patrons’ ability to readily find quality, curated information.”

Read the Complete Announcement
Direct to Libhub Initiative Web Site
Direct to Libhub FAQ
See Also: Zepheira Has Been Working With LC on Several Projects Including the Development of BIBFRAME Since 2012

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