VIAF search (personal names)

[alexandermarxen]

The VIAF search (personal names) no longer works. Presumably an API has been changed by VIAF?

[xhero]

I'm not sure what is going on, accessing /justlinks.json gives a 401? I can't find any info if this was discontinued or just down? @ahankinson @HirschSt do you know more?

[HirschSt]

Probably https://openbiblio.social/@nabatz/112490210192829130, which I found just now

[xhero]

What the heck...

[HirschSt]

I can't find some alternative way for json, also I can't find the original post by OCLC ...

[ahankinson]

My tinfoil hat take on why...

https://www.oclc.org/en/news/releases/2024/20240507-introducing-oclc-meridian.html

"Meridian is available globally as a standalone subscription or as a complement to a cataloging subscription, providing libraries of all types and sizes the opportunity to benefit from and contribute to a scalable, sustainable network of authority linked data through WorldCat Entities." (emphasis mine)

[xhero]

I can't even open oclc.org!
But wow if that is true it doesn't seem nice.

[HirschSt]

Phew 💥

[BaMikusi]

I have found this announcement posted on VIAF-L on 20 May:

VIAF (“Virtual International Authority File”) combines multiple name authority files into a single OCLC-hosted name authority service.

Currently, 49 libraries contribute authority files to VIAF. OCLC hosts this service on behalf of the world’s libraries and makes several data sets available to anyone at no charge under an ODC-By license.

As of 22 May 2024, OCLC will discontinue distribution of the “justlinks” data set, and it will not be available via the VIAF dataset site, UI or API. Specifically:

• The VIAF download files named “viaf-{date}-links.txt.gz” will be removed from the VIAF dataset page (https://viaf.org/viaf/data/).

• The Record View “Just Links in JSON” will no longer be available via the VIAF UI.

• The Response formats for the API call http://viaf.org/viaf/102333412/justlinks.json will be disabled.

OCLC is making this change as part of a broader internal review of VIAF and to accommodate planned changes to VIAF's service infrastructure.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected], to help us understand your needs.

[BaMikusi]

I guess someone who understands the stakes here better than I do should indeed contact [email protected] to help OCLC better understand our needs and concerns.

[xhero]

wow! they gave two full days for the announcement, what gracious of them!

[BaMikusi]

Not quite, if you consider that 20 May was Whit Monday...

[HirschSt]

I am just writing a mail to VIAF asking how to deal with that ... I take you into CC

[HirschSt]

Today I received this "helpful" reply by VIAF:

Thank you for your recent inquiry related to the removal of the VIAF “Just Links” file. OCLC periodically reevaluates what data to provide as part of VIAF as it shifted from an OCLC Research project to an OCLC service that is provided to the community. As part of this process, we consider how to better align the VIAF service with OCLC’s full array of products and services. For now, please know that the bulk of VIAF data continues to be available in various serializations.
We are interested in continuing to work with the individual VIAF data providers to better understand specific uses of VIAF data so we can find ways to optimally address user stories. Your feedback is very useful in helping us determine ways in which VIAF data can be shared in the future.

[lpugin]

Thanks for the update

[BaMikusi]

Well, we all knew that VIAF was only a project, and now that it starts to become a service it will apparently be aligned with OCLC's products, and presumably require a subscription of some sort, if users want to have all the benefits. To my mind this suggests that RISM needs to look into alternatives, because once OCLC started to roll this stone down the hill, there is no way to tell where exactly it will stop.

[BaMikusi]

Yet another OCLC press release (with yesterday's date) related to this topic:
https://www.oclc.org/en/news/releases/2024/20240624-linked-data-position-paper.html?utm_campaign=linked-data&utm_medium=listserv&utm_source=listserv-general&utm_content=listservs-linked-data-position-paper

And therein the link to a position paper with some more details:
https://www.oclc.org/go/en/publications/linked-data-the-future-of-library-cataloging.html