INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIBRARIANSHIP, 3(1), 1-2 ISSN:2474-3542 Guest Editorial: On Linked Data The Semantic Web is “an extension of the current web in which information is given well- defined meaning, better enabling computers and people to work in cooperation" (Berners-Lee, Hendler, & Lassila, 2001, p. 37). Linked Data is a Web of Data that is one of the important steps to weave the Semantic Web into the structure of the existing Web. The four rules and five stars (Berners-Lee, 2006) of Linked Data provide general guidelines for moving towards Linked Data. Libraries, Archives, and Museums (LAMs) are organizations that have a long tradition of organizing and preserving information. Various tools and systems, such as classification schema, subject lists, taxonomy, and thesauri, have been developed for such purposes. Even for today, many sources including Library of Congress Subject Headings, Authority Files, Getty Thesauri, etc., are still highly valuable in the new context of Semantic Web. These sources can be utilized to further enhance Linked Data since data produced by LAMs “tends to be of very high quality, being collected, revised and maintained by trained professionals” (Hannemann & Kett, 2010, p. 2). There are benefits of making library data as Linked Open Data. Although the growth of Linked Data on the Web is significant, Libraries, Archives, and Museums should have contributed more. This special issue is our effort to move towards Linked Data. In this special issue, I am proud to present five featured articles, two regular articles, and three book reviews. Yang and Wang (2018) wrote an introduction piece on Linked Data from professionals’ point of view. They explained Linked Data technologies in plain English. Meanwhile they discussed the current state of library implementation in Linked Data. Liu (2018) spent tremendous effort to compile an annotated bibliography on Linked Data (Part 1 & 2). She reviewed recent literature on Library Linked Data. This is a great resource for anyone who wants to keep abreast of Library Linked Data. Xia and Liu (2018) present a use case in implementing Linked Data in the real world, an exciting work about the digital humanities platform of Shanghai Library that is built on traditional authority files. This work shows that the converge between digital humanities and digital libraries on Library Linked Data is inevitable and beneficial to the both sides. Zou (2018)’s work is more specific on how to address the problem between producers of knowledge organization systems and the consumers. Diao (2018) traces the historical development of library catalogs and summarizes the development into three stages: the agricultural, the industrial, and the information catalog stage. Zou / International Journal of Librarianship, 3(1) 2 From a historical angle, he discusses what is the future of library catalogs. Condron, Gao, & Komos (2018) focus on the internal microgrant program at the University of Houston Libraries. They provide insights on decision-making processes of funding similar programs. All three books reviewed are significant works on Linked Data. This first book, named “Linked Data for Cultural Heritage”, focuses on the application of Linked Data in LAMs. The second book, titled “Practical Ontologies for Information Professionals”, provides a practical guide on ontology. The third book, named “Library Linked Data in the Cloud: OCLC's Experiments with New Models of Resource Description”, discusses in detail OCLC’s practice and implementation in Linked Data. Also included in this issue are two reports on international conferences and the part III of the series of LIS education accreditation process across the world. Last but not the least, I would like to thank all authors, reviewers, editors, and members of advisory board for making this issue possible. - Qing Zou, Lakehead University References Berners-Lee, T. (2006). Linked data - design issues. Retrieved from http://www.w3.org/DesignIssues/LinkedData.html Berners-Lee, T., Hendler, J. A., & Lassila, O. (2001, May). The Semantic Web. Scientific American, 284(5), 34–43. Condron, M., Gao, W., & Komos, K. (2018). More Than a Number: Measuring Value and ROI in a Library Microgrant Program. International Journal of Librarianship, 3(1), 94-103. Diao, J. (2018). Evolution of Western Library Catalogs: The Rising Expectations of Users. International Journal of Librarianship, 3(1), 78-93. Hannemann, J., & Kett, J. (2010). World Library and Information Congress: 79th IFLA General Conference and Assembly. In Proceedings of the world library and information congress (pp. 1–11). Gothenburge, Sweden. Liu, W. (2018). Linked Data in a nutshell: a starter kit of selected annotated bibliography and resources for academic librarians: part one. International Journal of Librarianship, 3(1). 36-53. Liu, W. (2018). Linked Data in a nutshell: a starter kit of selected annotated bibliography and resources for academic librarians: part two. International Journal of Librarianship, 3(1), 54-66. Wang, Y., & Yang, S. Q. (2018). Linked Data Technologies and What Libraries Have Accomplished So Far. International Journal of Librarianship, 3(1), 3-20. Xia, C. & Liu, W. (2018). Name Authority Control in Digital Humanities: Building a Name Authority Database at Shanghai Library. International Journal of Librarianship, 3(1), 21-35. Zou, Q. (2018). Represent Changes of Knowledge Organization Systems on the Semantic Web. International Journal of Librarianship, 3(1), 67-77.