Naples, Richard
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives staff
I’m a data-focused professional with over 25 years of experience working in museum and library environments. My work sits at the intersection of data, research, and public service.
I’m especially interested in:
- Data analysis and visualization
- Metadata, bibliometrics, and linked data
- Thoughtful uses of AI in cultural heritage and information work
- Building small, useful tools with Python and the web
Research And Grants
Investigator On
Publications
Selected Publications
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Article
- Sorensen, Amanda H., Menyuk, Rachel, Shapiro, Deborah, and Naples, Richard. 2026. "Piloting Wikidata as an Authority Identifier: The (In)visible Women Project at the Smithsonian Institution." Journal of Open Humanities Data, 12, (1). https://doi.org/10.5334/johd.467. 2026
- Damerow, Joan E., Raia, Natalie H., Stanley, Val, Choe, Saebyul, Borton, Mikayla A., Byers, Neil, Cassidy, Ellen R., Cholia, Shreyas, Edmunds, Rorie, Forbes, Brieanne, Forrest, Kathleen, Goldman, Amy E., Kunze, John, Lafia, Sara, Lehnert, Kerstin, McIntyre-Redden, Marcella, Naples, Richard M., O’Ryan, Dylan, Parker, Charles, Plomp, Esther, Powers-McCormack, Beck, Ramdeen, Sarah, Richard, Stephen, Thessen, Anne, Thompson, Cody W. et al. 2025. "Opening doors to physical sample tracking and attribution in Earth and environmental sciences." Scientific Data, 12, (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05295-z. 2025
- Dikow, Rebecca B., DiPietro, Corey, Trizna, Michael G., BredenbeckCorp, Hanna, Bursell, Madeline, Ekwealor, Jenna T. B., Hodel, Richard, Lopez, Nilda, Mattingly, William, Munro, Jeremy, Naples, Richard M., Oubre, Candace, Robarge, Drew, Snyder, Sara C., Spillane, Jennifer, Tomerlin, Melinda Jane, Villanueva, Luis, and White, Alexander. 2023. "Developing responsible AI practices at the Smithsonian Institution." Research Ideas and Outcomes, 9. https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.9.e113334. 2023
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Blog Posting
- Naples, Richard M. 2022. "Smithsonian Libraries and Archives & Wikidata: Smithsonian Research Online." Unbound Washington, DC: Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. Jul 28, 2022. https://blog.library.si.edu/blog/2022/07/28/smithsonian-libraries-and-archives-wikidata-smithsonian-research-online/. 2022
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Webpage
- Naples, Richard. 2016. Dr. Gustav Zander's Victorian-Era Exercise Machines Made the Bowflex Look Like Child's Play. Smithsonian.com. Jan 8, 2016 Smithsonian Institution. 2016
- Naples, Richard. 2016. Smithsonian's Wildflower: The Illustrious Life of the Naturalist Who Chronicled America's Native Flora: The Life and Legacy of Renowned Smithsonian Illustrator Mary Vaux Walcott Goes Beyond the Works that She Created. Smithsonian.com. Jun 9, 2016 Smithsonian Institution. 2016
Contact
Location
- Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Department