Wikibase in Nigerian Libraries
This project is conceived to help shape the decentralization of knowledge graph through the creation, connection, and growth of a collaborative knowledge base among libraries in Nigeria, by leveraging on open platforms such as Wikidata and Wikibase. The project aims to build a knowledge base of linked data from Nigerian libraries, so as to improve the visibility of library collections and data from Nigeria on one hand, and also connect data from Nigerian libraries to a global knowledge base. More often than not, bibliographic records from many Nigerian libraries lack the necessary visibility that will aid the discoverability of the library collections. Thus, the need to leverage on emerging innovations such as Wikidata and Wikibase to promote accessibility to library collections and also drive the libraries into a new level of openness.
In the first phase of this project, we held a Wikibase and Linked Open Data Seminar for librarians in Nigeria via a partnership with the Nigerian Library Association, Edo State Chapter and the Wikimedia Deutschland. The seminar was facilitated by Alan Ang, Partner Manager and Mohammed Sadat Abdulai, Community Communications Manager, Wikidata/Wikibase in October 2022.
In the next phase, we seek to implement link open data and Wikibase in a Nigerian Library via a pilot project. To achieve this, we plan to organize a Wikibase pilot programme at Samson Adedoyin Library, otherwise known as Glorious Vision University Library. Through this pilot program, we hope to create an in-depth understanding of Linked Open Data and Wikibase among Librarians at the Library (in the first instance), create a Wikibase.Cloud account for the Library, as well as link at least 500 bibliographic records from the library to Wikidata/Wikibase. In addition, we plan to hold a Wikidata/Wikibase in-person workshop for selected Librarians in Nigeria so they can help build a knowledge base of linked open data in the country.