Linked data knowledge card FAQ

About linked data knowledge cards

What is a WorldCat Entities URI, and how does it help in searching WorldCat? 

A WorldCat Entities uniform resource identifier (URI) is a unique, persistent identifier linked to WorldCat Entities data that represent a wide range of entity types (read more about Entity types). These URIs ensure accurate identification of entities and bibliographic records related to them, improving search precision by delivering more relevant search results while enabling new connections between data.  

How can I use the ‘Works by’ and ‘Works about’ links to find materials related to a person?

The knowledge card provides a quick, visual way to identify when a WorldCat Entities URI is available to help you find materials related to a person. When URIs are available in WorldCat MARC records, a hover-over card appears, offering two options: 

• Works by author: Executes a URI author search (ua: URI) to retrieve materials created by the person. It searches for URIs present in the 100$1, 110$1, 700$1, 710$1. 
• Works about author: Executes a URI subject search (us: URI) to retrieve materials about the person. It searches for URIs present in the 600$1, 610$1. 

   Note: Not all authors are also cataloged as subjects. As a result, searching the us: URI index may not always return results. However, as WorldCat continues to grow and catalogers add more URIs to records, additional content about a person may become available in WorldCat. 

The knowledge card will be displayed on both the search results and item details pages. An icon will appear before the author’s name to indicate the feature’s availability. The knowledge card will display when a user hovers over an author name.  

If a user clicks on an author's name, an author string search will function as it currently does—for example, the author’s name will remain a hotlink that performs a search for au="Austen, Jane" AND au="1775-1817”.  

What types of records will include knowledge cards? 

Knowledge cards will appear in WorldCat Discovery when a bibliographic record includes a WorldCat Entities URI for a person in the MARC data.

 Note: 

• URIs have not been incorporated into the central index, so this experience is not available for central index records. 
• Not all entity types may be present in the MARC data.
• If a WorldCat Entities URI is not present in the MARC bibliographic record, the knowledge card cannot be displayed in WorldCat Discovery. 
• If some records in a clustered (group) search results view in WorldCat Discovery contain a URI, but the representative record does not, the knowledge card will not appear on the representative record.

What is the WorldCat bibliographic enrichment process for WorldCat Entities URIs

WorldCat record enrichment occurs through two processes: 

• Automated processing where a WorldCat Entities URI is matched to a controlled heading (e.g., an authorized name or organization).

   Note: Automated WorldCat record enrichment does not occur when the automated processing cannot identify a controlled heading. 

• Manual processing where a cataloger manually adds a WorldCat Entities URI to a WorldCat bibliographic record. 
  • Catalogers do not have to add a controlled heading to apply a WorldCat Entities URI. They can choose to add the WorldCat Entities URI to an uncontrolled heading.

How many WorldCat records have been enriched today?

As of March 2025, more than 500 million URIs have been added to WorldCat records. Records are reviewed and assessed for enrichment regularly. The number of records enriched daily depends on the ongoing data processing, collective cataloging, and authority file updates.

WorldCat bibliographic records have been enriched with WorldCat Entities URIs in subfield $1 in the following fields:

• Person entity – 100, 600, or 700
• Event entity – 647
• Place entity – 651
• Work entity – 758
• Organization entity – 110, 610, or 710

Understanding WorldCat Entities data

Can all names be enriched with a WorldCat Entities URI?

Yes, all names have the potential to be enriched with a WorldCat Entities URI.

Libraries can contribute to cooperative cataloging by enriching records in Record Manager by adding entities in subfield $1. When using controlled headings for authoritative names, $1 is automatically added during cataloging. Read more on how to insert a WorldCat Entity identifier into a bibliographic record.

If a WorldCat Entities URI does not exist, it can be created using Meridian. A Meridian subscription enables institutions to create and manage WorldCat Entities, enhancing discoverability. Read more about how to create WorldCat Entities in Record Manager with a Meridian subscription. 

Why don’t I see a knowledge card even if a person has a URI? 

The knowledge card will only appear if the URI is present in the specific bibliographic record you are viewing. If the record does not include the entity’s URI, the feature will not be available.  

To enable the knowledge card for a record, catalogers can add the appropriate URI using the cataloging workflow described in question six. This involves enriching MARC records by linking the entity through subfield 1 in relevant fields, ensuring the data is available for discovery. 

What happens if an author does not have a WorldCat Entities URI?

If an author does not have a WorldCat Entities URI, a knowledge card will not be available for them in WorldCat Discovery. However, if your institution has a Meridian subscription, you can create and manage WorldCat Entities to enhance discoverability. For more information, see OCLC Meridian.

Will knowledge card text be supported in different languages?

Static text elements within the knowledge card will be displayed based on the user’s selected language setting in the UI. However, the author’s name and other entity details are pulled directly from the MARC record and will retain their original language and script. 

Configuration and future enhancements

Can libraries configure or customize the knowledge card?

In this first iteration, the knowledge card is designed to pull URI data already available in the MARC record, helping users perform more precise searches. As we expand the functionality—such as embedding the knowledge card directly into search results or enhancing it with third-party data—configuration will be a key priority. 

Will third-party data sources be integrated in future updates?

Future enhancements may include third-party data integration to expand the depth of entity information and improve accuracy. 

Will the knowledge card be embedded directly in search results instead of requiring a hover-over? 

Yes, embedding an enhanced knowledge card directly in search results is being considered as part of future planned enhancements. 

To learn more about our linked data strategy visit oc.lc/linkeddata.