Wikipedia in the Library
Wikipedian in Residence Program
The British Library, 2012-13
Andrew Gray
@generalising // [email protected]
Origins
● British Museum, 2010
● Articles about objects; public events
● Several more residencies worldwide
– mostly museums, “object-focused”
British Library
● Arts & Humanities Research Council funds
● Two goals:
–Support AHRC researchers
–Develop British Library-related content
Supporting researchers
● Training and guidance for research projects● Using Wikipedia for
– “contextualising” - public understanding
– “disseminating” - distributing content
– “capturing” - recording research
● Several events and case studies
In the Library
● Outreach & training
● Digital content
● Technical work
● ...and communication!
Outreach and training
● Training workshops– ~100 British Library staff
– ~300 public
● Public events– Workshops
– Conference
Creating digital content
● Picturing Canada4,000 historic photographs
Unique collection
● Royal ManuscriptsArticles on specific MS
Linked to cataloguing work
Picturing Canada
Reusing digital content
● Europeana 1914-18● 19th Century Books
Existing projects
Transformative uses
One pamphlet – 6000 words!
Technical work
● Authority control records
● Image metadata– Catalogue links & identifiers
– Encouraging best practice
Everywhere else
● Partnerships around Europe● Active local communities● Get in touch!
outreach.wikimedia.org