1 Wikis in Practice: Practical Applications of Wikis in the Workplace Maryland Library Association Annual Conference, 2008 Danielle Whren, Loyola Notre Dame Library Katy Sullivan, Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery, UMBC

2 Wiki Overview “A type of web page designed so that its content can be edited by anyone who accesses it, using a simplified markup language” (OED Online) Origin Examples Wikipedia – Wiktionary – Wikitravel – WikiIndex –

3 Characteristic Wiki Features Editing Comments History Recent Activity RSS Feed Search (Sandbox)

4 Wikis and Library 2.0 Applying Web 2.0 technologies and practices in a library setting Web 2.0 – the Web as “platform” Technologies associated with Web 2.0: Social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace) Social bookmarking and tagging (de.lic.ious) Media sharing (Flickr, YouTube) Podcasts RSS feeds Mashups Blogs Wikis Of these tools, wikis are the most suited for text collaboration, appropriate for multiple authors working on the same document.

5 Wiki or Blog? Wikis Collaborative Dynamic text Encourages cross linking Thoughtful writing Topical arrangement Blogs Personal Static text (in theory) Light on cross linking Written in the moment Reverse chronological arrangement

6 Value in Using Wikis Facilitates collaboration in creating work Requires just Internet access to use and alter Eases information sharing Easy to learn Instantaneous updating not reliant on one person Non-linear navigation structure Searchable Inexpensive

7 Workplace Benefits Include: Growth in collaborative work Simplified document management Establishment of institutional memory Increased staff feedback / “voice” Improved customer service

8 Considerations in Choosing a Wiki Locally Hosted Data and wiki files stored locally Customizable No space limitations Requires technical expertise and time Examples: MediaWiki, PMWiki

9 Considerations in Choosing a Wiki Hosted Service Hosted on creating company’s server Little customization available Space limitations Little technical expertise needed Examples: PBWiki, WetPaint

10 Considerations in Choosing a Wiki Other Considerations WYSWIG Editor Cost Security

11 Considerations in Choosing a Wiki Compare wikis at WikiMatrix

12 Considerations in Building a Wiki Have goals Solicit input Project selection Structure Access Documentation

13 Considerations in Maintaining a Wiki Appoint a wiki “gardener” Make it easy to use and low risk Promotion and Marketing Training opportunities Ensure objectivity and fairness Issues of ownership and copyright

14 Examples of Library Uses Internally Schedules To-do lists Logins & Passwords Directory/Contact Information Policies & Procedures Document Repository Projects Committee/Team sites

15 Examples of Library Uses Externally Research Guides Collaboration with patrons Collaboration with other libraries/librarians

16 Example from Loyola Notre Dame Library ResearchWiki Why MediaWiki? Wanted to host locally Free Open Source Software Stable platform WYSIWYG editor No space limit Lots of good documentation

17 Example from Loyola Notre Dame Library ResearchWiki Security No account creation necessary Appointed staff member to check wiki for spam or inappropriate content

18 Example from Loyola Notre Dame Library ResearchWiki Wiki Content Meebo widget Subject guides Tutorials and help guides Information on course assignments Answers to frequently asked reference questions

19 The Loyola Notre Dame Research Wiki

20 UMBC Library Wikis in Blackboard Internal projects and documents – necessary login not an issue Very secure Branding/customizing not important Familiarity Permanence

21 Wiki Examples in Reference New employee training manual Committee/group workspace Brainstorming, collaborative writing, planning documents, repository Peer training archive Instructions and protocols

22 Library-Wide Wiki Examples Library Assembly space Archive of agendas and minutes, planning discussions, feedback forum Cheers Committee space Event planning

23 Issues that Have Arisen Mixed levels of participation Multiple locations of saved attachments / multiple versions of documents

24 Benefits We’ve Seen Real collaboration Better management of and access to documents More efficient committee and group work Greater awareness and tracking of work output

25 Where We’re Going Moving content to Confluence Wiki Including “fun” projects to increase participation

26 Thank you! Danielle Whren, Loyola Notre Dame College Katy Sullivan, UMBC