Semantic Web and ontology-based applications for digital libraries. An investigation from LIS professionals in Pakistan
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-08-2017-0168 |
| Published date | 01 October 2018 |
| Date | 01 October 2018 |
| Pages | 826-841 |
| Author | Shakeel Ahmad Khan,Rubina Bhatti |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
Semantic Web and ontology-based
applications for digital libraries
An investigation from LIS
professionals in Pakistan
Shakeel Ahmad Khan
Department of Library and Information Sciences,
University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan, and
Rubina Bhatti
Department of Library and Information Science,
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore useful Semantic Web technologies and ontology-based
applicationsfor digital libraries. It also investigates the perceptions of universitylibrarians and academicians
in Pakistanabout Semantic Web technologies and their use in digital libraries.
Design/methodology/approach –An exploratory research design based on Delphi research strategy
was conducted to answer the research questions. Interviewswere conducted with a purposive sample of 50
key informants includinguniversity librarians and academicians to explore their perceptionsabout Semantic
Web technologies and their use in digital libraries. Thematic analysis of interview data was conducted to
obtain results.
Findings –The results of this paper showed that DuraCloud, Semanticinformation mashup, OntoEdit and
resource descriptionframework (RDF) are the various Semantic Web applications which are useful for digital
libraries to develop semantic relationshipsamong digital contents and increase their accessibility in the web
environment.Findings revealed that Semantic Web providesprecise results and meets user information needs
in an effective way. Results also showed that next-generation digital libraries use context-awareness
technology, intelligent agentsoftware and detecting sensors to analyze user information needs and provide
dynamic information services.This paper recommended that librarians should embrace the use of emerging
web technologiesin libraries and offer library services through the medium of the web.
Practical implications –This paper envisaged the future of digital libraryservices and Semantic Web
applicationsthat can be used to re-structure metadata of digital library.This paper has practical implications
for librarians to consider the useful applications of Semantic Web for digital library and enhance the
interoperability of metadata among heterogeneous information systems. Practically, results obtained from
this paper are highlyuseful for library schools and LIS teachers to up-date theircurriculum by incorporating
new contentsrelated to web languages and Semantic Webapplications for digital libraries.
Originality/value –This paper identifies various Semantic Web applications which are useful for
developingSemantic Digital Libraries.
Keywords Pakistan, Digital libraries, Ontology, Semantic Web
Paper type Research paper
Introduction and background of the study
The use of information technology and web applicationsis changing the libraries and their
services. Libraries should adopt new applications to work effectively in a technological
information environment(Hendrix, 2010). The best future of the librarycan only be achieved
EL
36,5
826
Received9 August 2017
Revised8 December 2017
24February 2018
Accepted15 March 2018
TheElectronic Library
Vol.36 No. 5, 2018
pp. 826-841
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-08-2017-0168
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
through effective technologicalchange and social planning (Connor and Au, 2008). Web 2.0
is offering new potential for researchers to harness the new technologies and offer limitless
digital informationcontent through a single package (Garcia et al.,2011). The Semantic Web
is useful for enhancing access to information and knowledge. There is a strong nexus
between the mission and aims of libraries and the objectives of the Semantic Web. The
Semantic Web is helpful to increase usability of digital data. It offers Semantic Web
representation, semantic outreach and Semantic Web services and resources (Greenberg,
2009).
The new form of digital library will be the semantic digital library (Alotaibi, 2010). The
use of Semantic Web and resource description and framework (RDF) technology in digital
libraries will aid in managingmetadata and digital contents, as well as offer new techniques
for the discovery of information(Han, 2006). The Semantic Web will increase the usability of
library material on a large scale. It is an importantsource to access information available in
digital form. There is a need to investigate the uses of Semantic Web and web ontology
language to developa richer conceptual model to be shared on the web (Ferguson, 2007).
Semantic Web technology
The development of the web is divided intofour major eras: that is, Web 1.0, Web 2.0, Web
3.0 and Web 4.0. The Web 1.0 era encompasses 1990-2000, Web 2.0 2001-2010,and the Web
3.0 and Web 4.0 eras are envisioned from 2011 to 2020 and from 2021 to 2040, respectively
(Aghaei et al.,2012). It is believed that by using mashup technologies and artificial
intelligence on the web, Web 3.0 will bring information together in a more meaningful way
(Das, 2012).
Berners-Lee et al. (2001) explained that the Semantic Web brings structure to the
meaningful content of webpages by allowing software agents to roam from page to page to
carry out sophisticated work for the users. The Semantic Web defines the information in a
more meaningful way for computers and people to work in cooperation. By exploiting the
value of the Semantic Web, the computer will better understand and process the data not
merely to display it but also to retrieveit in an effective way.
The basic function of the SemanticWeb is to use the extensible markup language (XML)
which allows the use of tags to describe digitalobjects. XML develops relationships between
objects and their descriptions. To describe ontology,resource description framework (RDF)
is used to formulate conceptualization among similar concepts. Web ontology language
(OWL) is also used to perform this function in an effective way. The broader challenges in
developing semantic relations among digital objects are to achieve interoperability,
describing objects and repositories, managing multimedia collections, improving interfaces
and human–computer interaction.Semantic Web technology is a useful tool to address these
challenges. Semantic assistant agent (SAA) is helpful for digital libraries to structure their
metadata in an organized form. By using a semantic search algorithm in a digital library,
libraries can save the time of the user and provide relevant information withina very short
time. The components of this system include user interface, search system and digital
repository. The repository saves both metadata and digital contents. SAA offers standard
search and advanced searchoptions to users. Digital objects are stored via a user’s interface
and Dublin Core XML files. The software agents convertthe entry of these contents to RDF
format which makesit possible to conduct semantic searching (Kholif and Mohamed,2012).
Hendler and Berners-Lee (2009) envisioned the future when new kinds of machines will
evolve to enable people,individuals, to immerse them in accumulated knowledgeby playing
their role as contributors to the global information system. The human interaction with
information will be more powerful in future information systems. The exploration of new
Digital
libraries
827
To continue reading
Request your trial