VIAF (Virtual International Authority File)
Business Profile
Core Value Proposition
VIAF provides a single, OCLC-hosted name authority service by combining multiple name authority files, aiming to lower the cost and increase the utility of library authority data by matching and linking widely-used authority files and making that information available on the Web.
Target Customer
Libraries and library professionals (e.g., librarians, catalogers, library IT staff) who manage or use name authority data.
Key Differentiator
Consolidates multiple name authority files into one merged, web-accessible view hosted by OCLC, with a broad network of contributing libraries.
Implementation Timeline
Not disclosed
Pain Points
- 1Lower the cost of maintaining multiple name authority files.
- 2Increase the utility and usefulness of authority data by linking and reconciling widely-used authority files.
- 3Provide a unified, Web-accessible authority dataset across participating libraries.
Key Features
- 1Single, centralized name authority service that combines multiple authority files.
- 2Matching and linking of widely-used authority files across libraries.
- 3Web-accessible authority data hosted by OCLC.
- 4Extensive network of contributing libraries (VIAF Contributors).
Target Customer Industries
Decision Makers
- 1Librarian
- 2Cataloger
- 3Library IT Specialist
- 4Library Director
Client Results
- 1Lower cost and increased utility of library authority files.
- 2Unified authority data that can be accessed via the Web.
Competitive Advantages
- 1Aggregates authority data from many major libraries into one service.
- 2Hosted by OCLC, a recognized provider of library data services.
- 3Longstanding, wide institutional collaboration (VIAF Contributors).
Key Benefits
Additional Product Information
Product Description
A single, web-based, OCLC-hosted service that combines multiple name authority files into one merged authority dataset to improve reliability, consistency, and accessibility of authority data.
Target Market
Libraries (national, public, academic) and library networks that manage name authority information.
Unique Value Proposition
A unified, web-accessible authority dataset drawn from multiple libraries, reducing cost and increasing the usefulness of authority data.
Technical Requirements
Web-based service; hosted by OCLC; search interface available on VIAF pages.
Pricing Model
Not disclosed
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