a primer on wikipedia editathons (mcn 2014)
TRANSCRIPT
A Primer onWikipedia EditathonsDominic McDevitt-ParksDigital Content Specialist / Wikipedian in ResidenceNational Archives and Records [email protected]@Dominic_MP
#glamwiki
Short history
Wikipedia meetupsGLAM-Wiki
● us.glamwiki.org
“Backstage Pass”
[London Institute of Contemporary Arts, 2014]
British Museum, 2010 National Archives, 2012
What is it?
● On-site public outreach event● Based around editing Wikipedia articles● Engages local Wikipedians, staff, new
editors
[London Institute of Contemporary Arts, 2014]
What is it?
Generally includes:● Theme● Wikipedia tutorial● Tour/presentation● Often lunch!
[London Institute of Contemporary Arts, 2014]
Wikipedia is important.
Why?
[London Institute of Contemporary Arts, 2014]
* Over 75% of digital access to National Archives holdings comes via Wikipedia
1.3 billion views
Why?You’re a museum. This is your mission.
● Create/improve educational content● Access to collections● Digital literacy● Staff training*
[London Institute of Contemporary Arts, 2014]
What does it take?
The basics:
● Venue● Scheduling● Staff resources
[Rossimoda Museum of the Shoe, Venice 2013]
What does it take?Venue:
● Fit at least 20 people comfortably● Projector● Reliable wifi● Outlets and power strips
[Rossimoda Museum of the Shoe, Venice 2013]
What does it take?Scheduling:
● Budget at least half a day● Weekends, depending on audience● Plan ahead, advertise for weeks in
advance[Rossimoda Museum of the Shoe, Venice 2013]
What does it take?
Staff resources:
● Event coordination● Subject-matter expertise● Involve other staff as possible
[Rossimoda Museum of the Shoe, Venice 2013]
How does it work?
1. Theme2. Event page3. Task list and resources4. Promotion5. Agenda
[Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2014]
How does it work?Theme:
● This is the hook● Exhibit, collections, anniversary, etc.
● “Civil War and American art”● “Women in Science”● “International Year of Statistics”
[Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2014]
How does it work?
Event page:
● Page on Wikipedia with event info and signups
● Wikipedia has templates, etc.[Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2014]
How does it work?Task list and resources:
● List of potential topics● Discrete and easily digestible, not
general subject areas● Provide secondary sources ahead of
time—you’re the authority![Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2014]
How does it work?Promotion:
● Promote to staff and local professionals
● Wikipedia community channels: ○ Meetups page, meetup.com, listserv,
geonotices, talk pages, etc.● Begin promoting 1 month–2 weeks
ahead [Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2014]
Agenda:
1. Staff welcome/subject matter intro (1 hr.)2. Wikipedia tutorial (1 hr.)3. Lunch/refreshments (1 hr.)4. Editing session (2+ hrs.)
[Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2014]
How does it work?
Things to keep in mind● Goal is to spotlight areas of expertise, not polishing our
image.● Staff who participate on Wikipedia are on equal footing with
all other editors○ Must use individual, rather than shared or departmental,
accounts.● All edits may be changed or contested. (This may even be
the start of a positive dialogue.)[Smithsonian Institution Libraries (AAPG branch), 2014]
Get creative
Scanathon at the National Archives, 2014
[Smithsonian Institution Libraries (AAPG branch), 2014]
Other advice
● Record results before wrapping up!● Manage expectations
○ Intangible outcomes as important as measurables● Will copyright be an issue?● Wikimedia grants programs● Find a real Wikipedian to help you.
[Smithsonian Institution Libraries (AAPG branch), 2014]
Questions?
All images from Wikimedia Commons:● Edwardx (CC-BY-SA); Niccolò Caranti (CC-BY-SA); Georgina Goodlander (CC-BY-SA); Andrew
Lih (CC-BY); Gerald Shields (CC-BY-SA), Fæ (CC-BY-SA)
—us.glamwiki.org