Information Tools

Specializations

  • Cataloging
  • Metadata
  • Linked Data

Research Areas

Biography

Crystal E. Yragui’s work encompasses socio-political and technical aspects of knowledge organization with focuses on critical cataloging, linked open data, and data modeling. Yragui brings more than 10 years of experience as a cataloger and metadata librarian to her classes and emphasizes hands-on learning. She serves as a co-convener of the Homosaurus Collective’s Implementation Board and co-founded the Orbis Cascade Alliance’s Homosaurus Implementation Project. She co-led the creation of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) Entity Management Cooperative Program as co-chair of the PCC Identity Management Advisory Committee. Yragui is part of several leadership efforts to develop and maintain knowledge organization standards, models and technologies including the MARC21 Bibliographic to LRM/RDA/RDF Mapping and Transformation Project (M2R), which she co-leads. M2R is an international effort to create a robust, open mapping and conversion from the MARC21 bibliographic format and RDA’s linked data ontology as well as an experimental output data pool. Yragui also serves on the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Bibliographic Conceptual Models Review Group, which supports the maintenance and development of the IFLA LRM, FRBRoo, and PRESSoo. These IFLA conceptual models and Semantic Web ontologies form a shared basis for interoperable bibliographic and authority data in library catalogs worldwide. A first-generation college student from a working-class background, Yragui is committed to mentoring students as they launch their careers. Yragui was born and raised in Seattle and holds both a bachelor’s in Comparative Literature & Cinema Studies and an MLIS from the University of Washington.

Education

  • MLIS, University of Washington, 2014
  • BA, Comparative Literature & Cinema Studies, University of Washington, 2009

Memberships

  • Program for Cooperative Cataloging Entity Management Cooperative Program
  • American Library Association
  • American Library Association
  • Homosaurus Collective
  • Homosaurus Implementation Board
  • International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Affiliate
  • International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Bibliographic Review Group
  • Program for Cooperative Cataloging Identity Management Advisory Committee
  • LD4 Community
  • American Library Association

Publications and Contributions

Presentations

  • Academic Librarianship Hiring Practices (2026)
    University of Washington iSchool iCareers Panel - Seattle, WA
  • Assessing Metadata for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Cultural Heritage Institutions (2026)
    ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition -
  • Introduction to EMCO (2026)
    PCC SCMP & PCC IMAC Co-sponsored Event -
  • Introduction to EMCO. (2026)
    CEAL Pre-conference - Virtual
  • Conversion of MARC21 Bibliographic to LRM/RDA/RDF: Setting the Stage and Creating the Tools. (2025)
    Metadata Standards Matter: Building a Sustainable Future for Information, IFLA Symposium -
  • Entity Management Cooperative (EMCO) and PCC Membership (2025)
    PCC Policy Committee (PoCo) November Meeting -
  • Harmful Language Metadata Remediation at the University of Washington Libraries. (2025)
    Live with C&C Session -
  • Homosaurus Unleashed: A Panel on Transforming LGBTQ+ Subject Access in Libraries (2025)
    ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition -
  • IMAC/EMCO Update (2025)
    PCC Policy Committee (PoCo) November Meeting -
  • MARC21 TO LRM/RDA/RDF mapping and conversion project: Crossing the first big river, with mountains ahead. (2025)
    Linked Data in the Real World, LD4 (Linked Data for…) Conference on Linked Data -
  • Queering Policy and Practice in Wikidata: a Discussion on WikiProject Personal Pronouns (2025)
    Queering Wikipedia Conference -
  • Supercharging Cultural Institution Collections with Wikidata (2025)
    WikiEducation Speaker Series -
  • WikiProject Personal Pronouns Implementation (2025)
    LD4 (Linked Data for…) Wikidata Affinity Group Project Series -
  • BIBFRAME Implementation in Library Systems (2024)
    ALA Core MARC Formats Transition Interest Group Community Meeting -
  • EMCO for Everyone: Broadening PCC Participation with a New Cooperative for Entity Management (2024)
    Program for Cooperative Cataloging Virtual Participants Meeting -
  • Enhancing Search and Discovery for LGBTQIA+ Materials at the Orbis Cascade Alliance and Beyond: a Tour of the Homosaurus Implementation Project (2024)
    Building Community for Linked Open Data, LD4 (Linked Data for …) Conference on Linked Data -
  • Fostering Equity: Harnessing Community Engagement for Queer Inclusivity in Wikidata. (2024)
    Queer Data Days (Wikidata Gender Diversity Project) -
  • Homosaurus Implementation Project (HIP): A Project of the Alliance SCTS Cataloging Standing Group, (2024)
    SCTS (Shared Content & Technical Services) Special Session -
  • Homosaurus Implementation Project (HIP): Community-Driven Linked Data Work at the Orbis Cascade Alliance. (2024)
    ALUW (Associated Librarians of the University of Washington) Fall Member Meeting -
  • Homosaurus Rex: Unleashing the Power of Community-Driven Alternative Controlled Vocabulary Implementation (2024)
    Orbis Cascade Alliance SCTS (Shared Content & Technical Services) Days Conference, -
  • LCCNbot: Creating connections between the Library of Congress Name Authority File (LCNAF) and Wikidata. (2024)
    Building Community for Linked Open Data, LD4 (Linked Data for …) Conference on Linked Data -
  • Lexicographical Data (2024)
    Wikidata Affinity Group Project Series -
  • MARC21 Bibliographic to LRM/RDA/RDF Mapping and Conversion Project (2024)
    16th Semantic Web in Libraries Conference (SWIB24) -
  • "But what about representation?": Finding Ethical Solutions and Best Practices for Gender Information in Wikidata (2023)
    Queering Wikipedia 2023 Conference -
  • Ethical and Inclusive Data Modeling for Gender Representation in Wikidata: Lessons and Recommendations from the Personal Pronouns Project (2023)
    Queering Wikipedia 2023 Conference, -
  • From EAD to MARC to Wikidata and Back Again: Tools and Workflows for Archival Metadata at the University of Washington Libraries (2023)
    15th Semantic Web in Libraries Conference (SWIB23) -
  • Linked Data Challenges from the MARC21 to LRM/RDA/RDF Mapping Project: 505 + $5 (2023)
    Exploring Linked Data in GLAM: From Inspiration to Implementation, LD4 (Linked Data for …) Conference on Linked Data -
  • Modelling Gender (2023)
    Wikidata Data Modelling Days -
  • Organizational Barriers to Ethical Cataloging (2023)
    Shared Content & Technical Services Cataloging Standing Group Special Session -
  • Expanding the Foundation for RDA as Linked Data: Mapping MARC21 Bibliographic to LRM/RDA/RDF (2022)
    Linking Global Knowledge, LD4 (Linked Data for …) Conference on Linked Data -
  • Expanding the Foundation for RDA as Linked Data: Mapping MARC21 Bibliographic to LRM/RDA/RDF. (2022)
    International Group of Ex Libris Users (IGeLU) 2022 Hybrid Conference and Developers' Day -
  • LGBTDB and Pronouns in Wikidata (2022)
    LD4 (Linked Data for …) Wikidata Affinity Group Call -
  • Setting the Framework for a Future Discussion on Addressing Ethical Concerns Surrounding Representation of Gender for Persons in Wikidata (2022)
    LD4 (Linked Data for …) Wikidata Affinity Group Call -
  • Sinopia Non-Latin Script Materials Cataloging Workshop (2022)
    Linking Global Knowledge, LD4 (Linked Data for …) Conference on Linked Data -
  • “Taking to Bed”: A Sculptural Artists’ Book by Tamar Stone (2021)
    ALA Rare Books and Manuscripts Section “Cool Things We’ve Cataloged” Lightning Talks -
  • MARC to Wikidata (2021)
    LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group Working Hour -
  • MARC-to-Wikidata Workflow at the University of Washington Libraries (2021)
    Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) Wikidata Pilot Project Participants’ Meeting -
  • What Role Can RDA/RDF Play in the Transition to Library Linked Data? (2021)
    BIBFRAME Workshop in Europe -
  • Metadata Application Profiles for Library Data (2020)
    ALA Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) E-Forum -
  • Linked Open Data Production and Publishing Workflow at the University of Washington Libraries (2019)
    TSWE-IG Meeting, ALA Midwinter Conference -
  • Tools and Workflows for Enhancing Discoverability of Linked Data and Other Library Resources on the Web. (2019)
    ALA Core Creative Ideas in Technical Services Interest Group (CITS-IG) Roundtable, ALA Midwinter Conference -
  • From EAD to MARC to Wikidata and Back Again: Tools and Workflows for Archival Metadata at the University of Washington Libraries