Putting the Library in Wikipedia

Abstract

Wikipedia provokes much controversy in the library community, with some librarians arguing that it cannot be trusted and others loving the resource because it is fast, simple to use, and a good starting point for research. Librarians at Wake Forest University began experimenting with Wikipedia as a platform for sharing and expanding the library's Web presence in relation to its digital collections. They identified strategies for how librarians can effectively use Wikipedia to make their collections known on the Internet. With a little planning and preparation, libraries can influence entries and categories within Wikipedia and possibly reach new users. An approach to putting libraries in Wikipedia is discussed.