Wikis as outreach tools

Today I read a fascinating article chronicling the implementation of open source wiki software at Florida State University Libraries to provide an "out of the box" platform for patron outreach and increased integration of library resources into the curriculum of professors across campus. A solid research base has outlined some of the advantages of employing wikis, as well as other networking software, into communication and outreach programs for libraries and library initiatives.

Some of the specific positive uses of wikis discussed included the following:

• instruction available ubiquitously
• forms a natural platform for virtual reference
  
• information desk management
• supplementing library digital content and electronic resources
• built in user feedback mechanisms can increase patron communication
• collaboration allows students, professors, and information specialists to integrate their own suggestions and perspectives in one place
• links and other resources can be suggested and added by a variety of sources
• editing history can be monitored for recency and reliability purposes

Above and beyond the educational impact of employing wikis, there was a significant impact on the professional relationships of librarians and library staff as they utilized wiki pages to increase communication and collaboration within the library itself. Departments or professionals which had rarely communicated previously due to scheduling, lack of proximity, or other barriers found that the asynchronous nature of the wiki allowed them to contribute and converse without needing to be in the same place or coordinate a meeting. In addition, the ability of "writers" in the wiki to create their own pages to push information increased interest in the libraries' web presence in the form of official web pages, etc.

I have also seen this principle in one of the professional committees I am serving on currently. The Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) has an award committee named the Teens Read Committee, whose yearly task involves choosing 10-15 books to be selected for consideration for the Florida Teens Read award. This year we have implemented a wiki to record books read and recommended, as well as how many of us have read each, in order to comply with the standards that must be followed for selection. The amount of increased communication, participation, and interest is clearly visible, even in the ten weeks since we started it.

As amazing as wikis can be, there are also some issues to be faced. The first is adequate user knowledge, or the need to promote the location and familiarity of the wiki with the intended users. The best wikis are the ones that are constantly changing because of interaction, correction, updates, and commenting. This stream of adjustment is the reason wikis are so fantastic as collaborating tools.

A second is the need for contributor training. Like many other professionals, most librarians do not have the time to experiment in order to implement new practices like this kind of wiki. In order to provide additional support after initial training, FSU developed some best practices that could be resources to librarians learning how to manipulate the wikis to their best advantage. These included:

• Using "super pages" as ideas and springboards for their individual or subject oriented pages. This provided librarians with code to copy and inspiration for both professional and personal expression.
  
• The administrators of the project developed a prototype for academic guides. These migrated to the wikis after both paper and electronic formats, for easier updating and anytime, anywhere access.

In the final analysis, the authors state that the most evident positive change through wiki implementation is the way it has enabled librarians to more effectively communicate with each other and the end-users of the institution, the students. Other benefits included getting a wider variety of information out beyond the "brick and mortar," quick and easy implementation, and broader access to library resources and instruction.

Jackson, M., Blackburn, J. D., & McDonald, R. H. (2007). MediaWiki Open-Source Software As Infrastructure for Electronic Resources Outreach. The Reference Librarian, 48(1). Retrieved June 12, 2008, from the WilsonWeb database.