ohio university libraries wikis: a beginner’s look chad f. boeninger computers in libraries 2007

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Wikis: A Beginner’s Look

Chad F. BoeningerComputers in Libraries 2007

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What is a Wiki?

A website in which content can be created and edited by a community of usersBest example is WikipediaStrength of the resource is often dependent on the strength of the community

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Origin of Wikis

Originally used for collaboration in technical fields (programmers)

Now wikis have a variety of purposes

• http://katrinahelp.info

• http://guitarwiki.com

• http://www.cookbookwiki.com

Best known wiki today is the Wikipedia

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Wiki Software

http://www.wikimatrix.org/

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Get ideas from others

http://wikiindex.org/

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Library Applications

Wikis for internal library communication

Wikis as collaborative tools for the larger organization

Wikis to communicate with library users

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Internal Wikis

Departmental communication

Reference Wiki

• Stumper questions

• Assignments

• Library policies

• FAQ’s and links

• Meeting Minutes

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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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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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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

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Traditional Research Guides

Redundancy of resourcesNo interlinkingMultiple edits of the same contentNot searchableNo way to measure useTimely updates are difficult

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The Biz Wiki

Organized by area of research needBrowse by category or alphabetSearchable by keywordUsers can edit/add contentInterlinked articles allow for increased access to information

http://www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/bizwiki/

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Dynamic Content

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“On the Fly” Content

1. Email question from patron

2. Respond to patron3. Similar question via

IM4. Use content of

previous question to create wiki article

5. Answer is out of email and on the web

6. Easier future access to information

Wiki Article

IM Question Answer Email

Reference Email

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More Wiki Uses

Student Research WikisFirst-year experience wikiCampus collaborationMulti-disciplinary subjects (Latin American Studies/Women’s Studies/Film)Collaboration among librarians

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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

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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

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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

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Questions??