FAST Linked Data

FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology)

FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology) is an enumerative, faceted subject heading schema derived from the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). The purpose of adapting the LCSH with a simplified syntax to create FAST is to retain the very rich vocabulary of LCSH while making the schema easier to understand, control, apply, and use. The schema maintains upward compatibility with LCSH, and any valid set of LC subject headings can be converted to FAST headings.

FAST Linked Data

Linked Data is one of the underpinnings of the Semantic Web, the effort to make the meaning of information on the Web more understandable to computers. These Linked Data authorities are formatted using schema.org and SKOS (Simple Knowledge Organization System).

The FAST Authority file contains links to LCSH Authorities as will as other authoritative sources such as VIAF, GeoNames, and Wikipedia. We will continue to add other links where possible.

A profile of N-Triple predicates and external links is available at FAST Link Data N-Triples Statistics

The use of the FAST authorities is open and FAST is made available under an Open Data Commons Attribution (ODC-By) License. It is also available for download under this license at https://www.oclc.org/research/themes/data-science/fast/download.html. OCLC will update FAST periodically, at least twice yearly.

FAST Linked Data API

The SRW/SRU API to access the FAST Linked Data is described at the OCLC Developers Network https://www.oclc.org/developer/develop/web-services/fast-api/linked-data.en.html.