VIAF

VIAF, the Virtual International Authority File, is an OCLC-hosted service that brings together multiple library name authority files in a single searchable resource. It matches and links authority records from participating institutions, creating a merged view that also draws on related bibliographic data. By making these connections available on the Web, VIAF aims to reduce the cost of maintaining authority files and increase their usefulness for libraries and other users.

The service provides a search interface for exploring records across its combined data. Its contributors include national libraries, library networks, research organizations, and other authority-file providers from around the world. Participants include the Library of Congress, the National Library of France, Library and Archives Canada, the National Library of Australia, and organizations such as ISNI and Wikidata. This international collaboration supports access to varied name records through one service, while preserving links to the contributing sources. VIAF is maintained by OCLC, which also provides information about the service and its dataset.