Virtual International Authority File (VIAF)

The Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) is a system that combines and organizes the names of authors, artists, and other prominent figures from various libraries and databases around the world. It helps create a consistent way to identify these individuals, ensuring that when you search for their works, you find the right information, regardless of the source. VIAF links different name variations, thus preventing confusion caused by similar names or differing spellings. It streamlines research and information retrieval, making it easier for people to access and credit the correct creators of works.