Virtual International Authority File
OCLC dataset and service that virtually combines multiple name authority files into a single name authority service
AI overview
The Virtual International Authority File is a service that brings together multiple name authority files—databases that standardize how names of people, places, and organizations are recorded—into one unified system. This matters because librarians and researchers can use a single tool to find consistent name information across different libraries and institutions worldwide, rather than having to search through separate databases.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
The Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) is an international authority file. It is a joint project of several national libraries, operated by the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC).
History