Wikipedia and the Library
On Saturday, March 5th, the Weinberg Memorial Library will host its first Wikipedia workshop and edit-a-thon. Each year, international edit-a-thons bring together libraries, archives and museums to improve and generate content on Wikipedia. These events help to improve our collective understanding of Wikipedia─ its structure and the way its content is created─ and also provide a venue to discuss and debate its value. At the Library, we support improving public access to information and promoting digital literacy, and we possess the tools and resources to improve Wikipedia’s content.
Wikipedia and Libraries
In 2014, OCLC began a pilot project to develop innovative ways of integrating library resources with Wikipedia’s content. OCLC sought library partners who were willing to host a Wikipedia editor and give that editor access to their materials and collections in order to enhance the article citation process on Wikipedia. The cooperative’s goal for this project is to make library e-collections available online via the WorldCat knowledge base, so that students and others on campus can see links in Wikipedia to full-text articles.
Other library initiatives that are helping to improve the scope and quality of Wikipedia articles and citations include:
- #1Lib1Ref – This collaborative project encourages public and university librarians to add credible references to Wikipedia articles.
- VIAFbot project – A case study project, led by Wikipedians-in-Residence at OCLC and the British Library, to integrate authority data with biographical Wikipedia articles.
- Wikipedia Visiting Scholars Program – A program through which experienced Wikipedia editors gain remote access to library resources like databases, ebooks, and special collections.
You can learn more about the many other case studies of collaborations between Wikipedia and libraries here:
- Case studies of Libraries participating in the Wikipedia Community: Example projects documented by the Wikimedia community on how Libraries successfully engage with Wikipedia
- Case studies of archives participating in the Wikipedia Community: Example projects documented by the Wikimedia community on how Libraries successfully engage with Wikipedia and the larger Wikimedia Community
Wikipedia and Students
A recent study published in The Internet and Higher Education found that 87.5% of students use Wikipedia in their academic work. A 2015 study from the Reference Services Review investigated ways in which Wikipedia could be used as a tool for information literacy. This case study engaged students in Wikipedia-editing activities and Wikipedia-related discussions. The study found that, following these discussions, students could effectively identify gaps in Wikipedia articles, critically evaluate and use sources to address those gaps and appropriately document their references.
Educating students on how articles on Wikipedia are created and audited helps them to think critically about information sources and understand knowledge production, while also instructing them on how they can contribute. The pedagogical benefits of learning how to edit on Wikipedia include:
- Engaging students in a global effort with an educational purpose
- Encouraging media and digital literacy
- Exercising critical thinking to analyze and interpret information for fairness, accuracy, and credibility
- Constructing knowledge and identifying content gaps
- Learning about fair-use and copyright
- Learning wiki code and getting hands-on experience with technology
- Fostering digital citizenship and online etiquette
Here is a list of projects that incorporate Wikipedia training into school and university courses.
Wikipedia and the Weinberg Memorial Library
Contributing content to Wikipedia that relates to the University of Scranton provides another way of highlighting the library’s collections and resources. The upcoming edit-a-thon is not the Library’s first venture into how its digital collections and resources could be used to support articles on Wikipedia. Last year, Kate Reilly ’17, a student working in Digital Services at the Library, wanted to learn how Wikipedia articles are created and edited. Using information made available in the Library’s digital collections, she began editing articles that related to the University of Scranton, its leaders and events. Through this project, Kate sought to “share the abundant historical knowledge documented in the Library’s collections.” You can read more about Kate’s experience with Wikipedia in the Library’s newsletter here.
Why Art+Feminism?
One of the founding organizers of the annual Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon, Siân Evans, stated last year on the ACRL blog that librarians should care about Wikipedia because “it is so often where our patrons start their research process and, because it’s open source, we have the tools to improve it.” Each year, academic and cultural partners from around the globe organize Wikipedia edit-a-thons that are focused on creating a networked collaboration between libraries, Wikipedia and scholars. The goal of Art+Feminism’s edit-a-thon is to improve the coverage of women on Wikipedia and encourage female editorship. Less than 10% of editors on Wikipedia are female and, as a result, there are many articles missing from Wikipedia on noteworthy women in history. In honor of Women’s History Month, the Weinberg Memorial Library will take part in this international campaign to close the gender gap on Wikipedia and host its first workshop and edit-a-thon.
You can read more about Art+Feminism’s Wikipedia project here:
- Evans, Siân, Jacqueline Mabey, and Michael Mandiberg. 2015. “Editing for Equality: The Outcomes of the Art+feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thons”. Art Documentation: Journal of the Art Libraries Society of North America 34 (2). [University of Chicago Press, Art Libraries Society of North America]: 194–203. doi:10.1086/683380.
At the Weinberg Memorial Library, we’re helping to broaden the conversation about the legitimate uses of Wikipedia and helping students learn how they can play a role in contributing to its content. Please join us on Saturday, March 5th, from 12-4pm in Rooms 305 & 306. RSVP: archives@scranton.edu
Environmental Art Show – Call For Art!
The library is seeking submissions for the 6th Annual Environmental Art Show. The art show will be held from April 15th until the 21st.
The purpose of the Environmental Art Show is to promote the natural beauty of our environment and the ideal practice of sustainable living through artworks of all types, including painting, photography, repurposed goods, sculpture, and more. The show is comprised entirely of University of Scranton student, staff, and faculty submissions, so please consider contributing!
The deadline for submissions is set for Thursday, April 14, 2016. All works of art can be dropped off at either the circulation or reference desks of the library. All artwork is returned after the exhibit has closed.
For photos from the past Environmental Art Shows see the following links:
Spotlight on Student Worker – Brianna Blozen
Brianna Blozen of Nutley, New Jersey has been a student worker in the Library since the Fall of 2013. You’ll find her most evenings, working at the Circulation Desk where she loves the atmosphere and seeing her friends and professors moving through. She enjoys helping other students and advises them to save money by looking in the Library first before spending too much money on required readings.
Bri is a Counseling and Human Services major who is planning a career as a parole/probation officer after graduation in May. She is an active member of the Counseling and Human Services Association. The club’s moderator, Dr. Paul Datti is her favorite professor.
When Bri is not studying or working, she volunteers her time in the community whenever possible. In her spare time, she enjoys watching television and hanging out with her friends. Her favorite movie is West Side Story.
A fun fact about Bri is that she loves cats! She loved her cat Sheena so much that her face is tattooed across her back. In warmer months to come, you just might see Sheena peeking out over the edge of a tank top!
Thank you Bri!
Temporary Water Shut Off, 5:30 – 7:30 am, Wednesday, February 24
The domestic hot water to the building will be shut off between 5:30 am – 7:30 am on Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 for repairs. The cold water will remain working during this time.
Enter to Be Honored (and Rewarded) for Your Research
Announcing the Library Research Prize application window for projects or papers completed in Intersession and Spring 2016!
Are you going to complete a project or paper this semester that requires you to conduct research using information resources or services offered by the Library? Did you complete such a project or paper in Intersession 2016? Then you should consider applying to win the Library Research Prize.
Two prizes–one to an Undergraduate student or group, and one to a Graduate student or group–will be awarded this May to the projects or papers from this academic year that show evidence of significant knowledge in the methods of research and the information gathering process, and use of library resources, tools and services.
The prize itself is $500, but perhaps even more enticing is the honor of being judged by faculty in all three colleges, librarians, and CTLE staff, to have excelled at conducting research and information gathering to accomplish a specific purpose or aim. (It also makes a great addition to your list of honors while pursuing your studies!)
In addition to submitting the project itself, complete applications also require a 500-word essay describing your research process (tips for writing this essay can be found here), as well as a statement of faculty support by the course instructor who assigned the project.
Visit the Library Research Prize page for details about applying and to see applications from past winners of the prize.
The deadline for applications featuring projects from Intersession or Spring 2016 is Friday, April 29, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.
New Sample Chair
We are planning to replace some older chairs in the 4th floor quiet study room, and have a sample chair available for testing. Please leave feedback on the flip chart provided. Thanks!
What’s Happening to Civil Society in America?
For more information and to RSVP contact:
Emily Brees at 570-941-6206 or email Emily.Brees@scranton.edu
For more information on upcoming Schemel Forum events, click here.
Meditation Series Hosted in the Library Starts Wednesday!
Wednesday, February 17 from 5:00 to 5:30 PM the first drop-in CHEW Meditation session of 2016 will be held in room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library.
The series will run on Wednesday from February 17 to April 13. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome to drop-in.
Technology on your own Terms: Wikipedia at 15
Join us for the first TOYOT of the spring semester!
Wikipedia at Fifteen, Tuesday, February 23 at 12-1pm in Weinberg Memorial Library 305.
In 2016, Wikipedia is celebrating its 15th birthday. With about 70,000 active contributors editing in 290 languages, it is by far the world’s most popular reference resource and continues to be a top ten internet site. But one of Wikipedia’s greatest strengths is also a point of contention for many of its critics– the model of openly editable content. This session will discuss some of the new strategies Wikipedia has undertaken to support quality control and combat article vandalism. It will also cover the basics of Wikipedia article creation and take a look at other platforms for open-source, collaborative knowledge creation.
A light lunch will be provided. TOYOTs are open to all University faculty and staff, but seats are limited, so please let us know if you plan to attend. You can register at www.scranton.edu/ctleregistration under Technology on Your Own Terms.