Ohio University Libraries Wikis: A Beginner’s Look Chad F. Boeninger Computers in Libraries 2007

Ohio University Libraries 2 What is a Wiki? A website in which content can be created and edited by a community of users Best example is Wikipedia Strength of the resource is often dependent on the strength of the community

Ohio University Libraries 3 Origin of Wikis Originally used for collaboration in technical fields (programmers) Now wikis have a variety of purposes Best known wiki today is the Wikipedia

Ohio University Libraries 4 Wiki Software

Ohio University Libraries 5 Get ideas from others

Ohio University Libraries 6 Library Applications Wikis for internal library communication Wikis as collaborative tools for the larger organization Wikis to communicate with library users

Ohio University Libraries 7 Internal Wikis Departmental communication Reference Wiki Stumper questions Assignments Library policies FAQ’s and links Meeting Minutes

Ohio University Libraries 8 Internal Wikis Wiki content becomes a knowledgebase Content is keyword searchable Content can be organized by category to allow easy browsing Anyone can add/edit/read content regardless of location RSS feeds available for new edits

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Ohio University Libraries 12 Group Collaboration A library-hosted wiki can put the library at the center of a project A wiki can be used to bring groups together in a virtual space Reduce the barrage of Example: Learning Communities

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Ohio University Libraries 15 External Wiki Applications Communicate with library users Wiki as a research guide Use to replace traditional html research guides/pathfinders Communicate sources to researchers and library users

Ohio University Libraries 16 Traditional Research Guides Redundancy of resources No interlinking Multiple edits of the same content Not searchable No way to measure use Timely updates are difficult

Ohio University Libraries 17 The Biz Wiki Organized by area of research need Browse by category or alphabet Searchable by keyword Users can edit/add content Interlinked articles allow for increased access to information

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Ohio University Libraries 23 Dynamic Content

Ohio University Libraries 24 “On the Fly” Content 1. question from patron 2.Respond to patron 3.Similar question via IM 4.Use content of previous question to create wiki articlewiki article 5.Answer is out of and on the web 6.Easier future access to information Reference Answer IM Question Wiki Article

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Ohio University Libraries 27 More Wiki Uses Student Research Wikis First-year experience wiki Campus collaboration Multi-disciplinary subjects (Latin American Studies/Women’s Studies/Film) Collaboration among librarians

Ohio University Libraries 28 Is a Wiki for You? Wikis are flexible Wikis can be adapted to meet your needs Wikis save time Wikis require frequent contributions and edits

Ohio University Libraries 29 Lessons Learned Have a purpose Will the wiki offer something new? Provide structure A blank wiki is difficult to use Be flexible A wiki may be used differently than you intended

Ohio University Libraries 30 More Lessons Learned Have reasonable expectations Your users may not think wikis are as cool as you do Be patient People appreciate innovation, but need time to adapt to new technologies

Ohio University Libraries 31 Questions??