E-resource management and the Semantic Web: applications of RDF for e-resource discovery

Abstract

Semantic Web technologies and specifications are increasingly finding applications within digital libraries and other e-resource contexts. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an introduction to some essential Semantic Web concepts and the resource description framework (RDF), a key enabling language of the Semantic Web. Applications of RDF including Dublin Core, FOAF, SKOS and RDFa will be explored with practical examples, and recent implementations of these specifications within a variety of e-resource discovery contexts will be discussed.