Leveraging the Power of Crowdsourcing and Linked Open Data: Transformation of the Schoenberg Database of Manuscripts and the SDBM Name and Place Authorities

Abstract Linked data technologies are natural fits for building and managing controlled vocabularies and authorities, especially in a crowd-sourced environment where managing data integrity can be a challenge. This paper considers the role of researchers in contributing to the health and maintenance the Schoenberg Database of Manuscripts, particularly as it relates to its local Name Authority. It will also demonstrate how applying Linked Open Data technologies and processes in the SDBM can facilitate the symbiotic relationship between the SDBM user community–the “crowd”– and its data as well as prepare the data for reuse in other LOD contexts like Wikidata.