2025-11-01 –, One and Only
The Authority Control template is used to link content in Wikipedia to libraries and databases as a pathway for disambiguation and ensuring consistency. However, it was observed that this template links Wikipedia content about Africa and Africans to libraries and databases outside of the continent. This was due to the lack of Authority File Control systems within the African library sector. Through the Knowledge Equity Fund, the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA), with membership in 34 African countries addressed that gap by creating the National Library of Nigeria Semantic Name Authority Repository (NLN SNAR). AfLIA is also using NLN SNAR as a model for developing semantic Authority files on Wikibase for other National libraries within the continent. This is considered as a major step towards instituting a robust Authority control for Africa’s library sector as the same relationships, entities and data models would be used as Wikibase answers the question of centralization or decentralization of data.
Four (4) critical observations by the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) led to the creation of the National Library of Nigeria Semantic Name Authority Repository (NLN SNAR) and the possibility of instituting robust authority control systems for Africa.
1. We discovered that the Authority control link for Nigerian, Ghanaian and Kenyan content in Wikipedia articles lead to libraries and databases outside of the African continent. We took time to confirm that it was the same for all African content on Wikipedia.
2. We also found out that the Authority Control template from Wikipedia is routed through Wikidata to external databases. The template basically connects to VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) among other databases. African National libraries are largely (only 2 out of 55 African countries) unrepresented in the database
3. We went on to establish that many African libraries struggle with implementing robust authority control systems, and this has greatly impacted resource access, discovery and metadata interoperability. This has created gaps that hinder data accuracy, accessibility, and discoverability.
4. Using the National Library of Nigeria as a model, AfLIA also observed the need for enrichment of metadata and how African libraries can use Wikidata to achieve that, as well as the first step towards creating semantic Authority files.
This presentation would outline what AfLIA went on to do including, all the steps taken for creating the National Library of Nigeria Semantic Name Authority Repository (NLN SNAR), the data models adapted, the entities, and relationships created. The presentation will also chart future steps for building a standardized authority control system for the African library sector through Wikibase.
Nkem has served as the Head of the public library system in Anambra State Nigeria (2009 -2015), a Director of Nigerian Book Foundation(2016-2018)where she currently sits as a member, Board of Trustees. Presently, she works with AfLIA(African Library and Information Associations and Institutions) with headquarters in Accra, Ghana as the Director, Human Capacity and Training.
She has been the project lead for AfLIA’s projects with OER Africa, NBA South Africa, Book Aid International and Wikimedia Foundation. In 2022, she won the global award of the Wikimedian of the Year 2022, (Newcomer category). She had won the Dr. Victori aOkojie award on Advocacy and promotion of Library services in 2015. She won the Wikimedia User Group Torchbearer Award in 2023. She had championed and drove a book donation to Langata Women Prison, Library, Kenya in 2019 and to Warri Prison library also in 2019. She is an alumnus of WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) and serves in the UNESCO/IGF OER Dynamic Advisory Group.
A female Librarian from Ghana, employed as the AfLIA's Program Officer and the Secretary to the Governing Council. Ms. Appiah's is interested in Indigenous knowledge, information Management, Digital literacy, public libraries and Development Agenda. She is also a student at the University of South Africa.
Stanley Boakye-Achampong works with AfLIA, the continental association of library and information institutions and professionals in Africa, where he leads research and communications. He is also the Secretary to the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) Africa Management Committee, an IFLA Impact Trainer and a Climate Reality Leader. He has been contributing to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects since 2020, and he’s especially interested in Wikidata because of his love for research and data. Stanley helps organize the African Librarians Week, which brings librarians together every year to add and improve references on Wikipedia as part of the #1Lib1Ref campaign. He has trained and supported many librarians across Africa to contribute to Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons. Stanley has also been part of several Wikimedia Foundation-funded projects run by AfLIA, including Wikipedia in African Libraries, Promoting Open Knowledge in African Libraries through Wikidata, and Integrating Wikimedia Projects into African Libraries (IWIPALE).