Graphs in Libraries: A Primer

Authors

  • James E. Powell Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Daniel A. Alcazar Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Matthew Hopkins Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Tamara M. McMahon Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Amber Wu Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Linn Collins Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Robert Olendorf University of New Mexico

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v30i4.1867

Abstract

Whenever librarians use Semantic Web services and standards for representing data, they also generate graphs, whether they intend to or not. Graphs are a new data model for libraries and librarians, and they present new opportunities for library services. In this paper we introduce graph theory and explore its real and potential applications in the context of digital libraries. Part 1 describes basic concepts in graph theory and how graph theory has been applied by information retrieval systems such as Google. Part 2 discusses practical applications of graph theory in digital library environments. Some of the applications have been prototyped at the Los Alamos National Laboratory Research Library, others have been described in peer-reviewed journals, and still others are speculative in nature. The paper is intended to serve as a high-level tutorial to graphs in libraries.

Author Biographies

James E. Powell, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Research Technologist, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Daniel A. Alcazar, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Professional Librarian, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Matthew Hopkins, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Library Professional, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Tamara M. McMahon, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Library Technology Professional, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Amber Wu, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Graduate Research Assistant, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Linn Collins, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Technical Project Manager, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Robert Olendorf, University of New Mexico

Data Librarian for Science and Engineering, University of New Mexico Libraries, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Published

2011-12-01

How to Cite

Powell, J. E., Alcazar, D. A., Hopkins, M., McMahon, T. M., Wu, A., Collins, L., & Olendorf, R. (2011). Graphs in Libraries: A Primer. Information Technology and Libraries, 30(4), 157–169. https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v30i4.1867

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 4 (2011)

Section

Articles

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