Canada’s National Earthquake Database combines raw seismograph data, measurements, and derived parameters from national seismic networks.
Virtual International Authority File
VIAF combines multiple library name authority files into a single OCLC-hosted authority service.
About Virtual International Authority File
The Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) is an OCLC-hosted open authority service that aggregates name authority records from multiple libraries and cultural institutions worldwide into a single unified dataset. It eliminates the need to search disparate national and institutional authority files to access consistent name information.
Users can search the aggregated name authority dataset, view data from contributing global library sources, and use the service for metadata management, research, or cataloging support. It is intended for library and information professionals, archivists, academic researchers, and anyone working with bibliographic or cultural heritage metadata who needs reliable, cross-referenced name authority data.
Key features
- Combines multiple international library name authority files into a single service
- Hosted by OCLC as a global library cooperative authority resource
- Provides open access to aggregated library name authority datasets
- Accessible via public web platform with no required software installation
Best for: Librarians, archivists, academic researchers, and metadata professionals benefit most from its unified, cross-referenced global name authority data.
Good for
- Consolidates dispersed global library name authority data into a single accessible source
- Open access model with no paywall for all users
- Hosted and maintained by OCLC, an established global library cooperative
Watch out for
- Limited exclusively to name authority data, with no full bibliographic record coverage
- Data accuracy depends on the quality of records submitted by contributing institutions
Virtual International Authority File at a glance
- Website
- viaf.org
- Category
- Research & Data › Open Data & Datasets
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Automated check blocked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Virtual International Authority File alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
The MMRRC repository lets users search mouse models by gene or strain name, identifiers, and disease-related terms.
PDBj maintains the single global PDB/BMRB/EMDB archives of macromolecular structures and provides integrated tools for searching and analyzing PDB data.
The Madrigal Database manages and serves archival and real-time data from upper-atmosphere science instruments in multiple formats.
The Swedish Enforcement Authority explains what open data is and how it can be reused and shared.
Gaia@AIP provides access to Gaia data and related products hosted by the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam.
Popular in Open Data & Datasets
Well-known listings from the same topic.
data.worlddata.worldNASA APIapi.nasa.govState of Hawaiidata.hawaii.govCosmoSimcosmosim.orgdata.meudon.frdata.meudon.frESS-DIVEess-dive.lbl.gov
Virtual International Authority File FAQ
What is the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF)?
VIAF is an OCLC-hosted open service that aggregates name authority records from global libraries and cultural institutions into a single unified dataset.
Is VIAF free to use?
Yes, VIAF offers free public access to its aggregated name authority data and search tools for all users.
What types of data are included in VIAF?
VIAF contains name authority records for personal, corporate, family, and geographic names from contributing global library sources.
Who hosts and maintains the VIAF service?
VIAF is hosted and maintained by OCLC, a global library cooperative.
Is something wrong or out of date?
Tell us and an editor will check it.
Own this website?
Claim this listing
Claim the listing and suggest updates yourself. An editor checks every claim first.