1. Ohio University Libraries Wikis in Libraries: Enhancing Services, Promoting Sources, and Building Community Internet Librarian October 28, 2007 Chad F. Boeninger boeninge@ohio.edu

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

3. Ohio University Libraries 3 Wiki as technical documentation http://codex.gallery2.org/Main_Page

4. Ohio University Libraries 4 Wiki as fan site http://lostwiki.abc.com/

5. Ohio University Libraries 5 Wiki as a web site http://executiveplanet.com

6. Ohio University Libraries 6 Wiki as professional organization http://www.libsuccess.org/

7. Ohio University Libraries 7 Wiki as human knowledge

8. Ohio University Libraries 8 What about blogs? Typically have better RSS Reverse-chronological posting Searchable, but results not as useful Can be browsed, but is limited Authored by one or a few

9. Ohio University Libraries 9 Library Applications Wikis for internal library communication Wikis as collaborative tools for the larger organization Wikis to communicate with library users

10. Ohio University Libraries 10 Internal Wikis Departmental communication Reference Wiki Stumper questions Assignments Library policies FAQ’s and links Meeting Minutes

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12. Ohio University Libraries 12 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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17. Ohio University Libraries 17 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 email Example: Learning Communities

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20. Ohio University Libraries 20 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

21. Ohio University Libraries 21 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

22. Ohio University Libraries 22 Wiki as a Research Guide Previously had 3 research guides Business Research Guide International Business Research Guide Marketing Research Guide Redundancy of resources No interlinking Multiple edits of the same content

23. Ohio University Libraries 23 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 http://www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/bizwiki/

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29. Ohio University Libraries 29 Dynamic Content

30. Ohio University Libraries 30 Dynamic Content

31. Ohio University Libraries 31 “On the Fly” Content 1.Email 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 email and on the web 6.Easier future access to information Reference Email Answer Email IM Question Wiki Article

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33. Ohio University Libraries 33 Adding an Article

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35. Ohio University Libraries 35 Feedback on the Wiki “You weren’t around, so I showed them the Biz Wiki Guide to Doing Business in Another Country, and they were satisfied.”--Reference Librarian “I had no idea how to find industry financial ratios, so I just searched for ‘ratios’ in the Biz Wiki, and low and behold, you had an article that helped me help the patron.” --Reference Librarian

36. Ohio University Libraries 36 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

37. Ohio University Libraries 37 So You Want a Wiki Finding a purpose Choosing software of service Setting up a wiki Creating a community

38. Ohio University Libraries 38 Find a Purpose Wikis are cool, but they’re not the next hula hoop, iPod, or Uggs. What void will the wiki fill? How will it make communication and collaboration easier? How do others feel about the current system?

39. Ohio University Libraries 39 Choosing Software http://www.wikimatrix.org/

40. Ohio University Libraries 40 Locally Hosted Options Require experience with administrating dynamic websites (php & MySQL) Require a desire to experiment with open source software Allow for plentiful options for customizing look and feel Data lives on your server

41. Ohio University Libraries 41 Wiki farms/services Requires very little technical experience Free versions can be slow Limited options for customization No need to worry about upgrades Support can vary, but is better than DIY

42. Ohio University Libraries 42 Setting up a wiki Populate with existing data or create new content Seek input from potential users about content and layout Get/steal ideas from others

43. Ohio University Libraries 43 Get ideas from others http://wikiindex.org/

44. Ohio University Libraries 44 Creating a community Start with a core group of users to add content and build momentum Get buy-in from others Reference wiki articles in blog posts, emails, and other communication methods Don’t be a control freak

45. Ohio University Libraries 45 When is a wiki done? It’s never done A static wiki defeats the purpose of a wiki Maintain links, create new pages, edit old ones to insure viability of the wiki

46. Ohio University Libraries 46 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

47. Ohio University Libraries 47 Wiki Challenges Getting others to contribute Faculty, students, other librarians More content = more maintenance Maintaining organization and structure with growth of content Difficult to see new content Spam, Spam, and more Spam

48. Ohio University Libraries 48 Wiki Strengths Extend the reach of the librarian Promote sources Teach research skills Make the job of the librarian easier Make information and knowledge more accessible Potential for contributing to the academic learning community

49. Ohio University Libraries 49 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

50. Ohio University Libraries 50 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

51. Ohio University Libraries 51 Questions??