The document discusses the use and significance of wikis in academic and library settings, highlighting that 41% of undergraduate students use wikis weekly and that 66% of medical library professionals find them important for professional work. It outlines the defining features of wikis, their history, and their applications, including project management and resource guides. The document also includes survey findings on wiki usage among students and librarians, emphasizing their collaborative benefits and potential challenges.

1. WIKIS

2. Wikipedian Protester From Randall Munroe’s XKCD: a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math and language http://xkcd.com/285/

3. Question: Wikis Have you heard of wikis ? A. Yes B. No ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology 2007 indicates 41% of undergraduate students use wikis at least once a week. A majority of the class had heard of wikis.

4. Question: Wikis Is your library using a wiki? A. Yes B. No C. We plan to D. Don't know A survey of Medical Library Assoc. members showed 66% think wikis are important tools for professional work, but only 21% reported wikis important tools in their personal life. A little over half of the class were using wikis at their library.

5. What is a Wiki? “ Software that allows users to collaboratively create, edit, link, and organize the content of a website, usually for reference material" Wikipedia .org “ A tool that easily facilitates online collaboration and communication“ Mary Carmen Chimato in the book Medical Librarian 2.0 (2006) “ The simplest online database that could possibly work" Ward Cunningham, creator of the original wiki

6. Wiki History “Wiki” – Adopted from the Hawaiian word wiki-wiki, meaning ‘quick’ 1995 – Ward Cunningham creates the first wiki January 15 th , 2001 – Wikipedia hits the web Since 2002 – use of wikis has grown exponentially

7. A Typical Wikipedia Page

8. Defining Features Virtual - Information is stored and edited online Open editing - Pages can be freely written or edited by anyone in real-time (or limited to specific users) Categories / ‘wiki words’ – Used to reference & link pages within the wiki Wiki editor – simplified hypertext mark-up language (HTML) used to create & edit pages (or WYSIWYG editor) Page History – Previous versions of pages are saved & available to view Discussion area – users can add comments when editing content

9. Defining Features - Main page Category Discussion, Edit, History Article Discussion, edit, & history tabs Article Category

10. Defining Features - Wiki Editor Wiki Editor Discussion, edit, & history tabs Article Category

11. Defining Features - Page History Discussion, edit, & history tabs Article Category Page History view

12. Defining Features - Discussion WikiProject Medicine : ‘wikiproject’ to cooperate, organize, make suggestions and share ideas on the improvement of the medicine and health-related articles of Wikipedia. Discussion, edit, & history tabs Article Category Discussion Page

13. The Good, the Bad, and the Wiki GOOD Record quick ideas (or longer ones) – more time for formal writing & editing Collaborate instantly Access from anywhere Archive your revisions Empowers and excites users BAD Public - “Dirty laundry isn’t a good public face” Messy – potential ‘idea soup’ Requires monitoring - “Troll patrol“ Learning curve Maintenance – set up, back up, etc

14. Applying Wikis to Liaison Work: Examples Project management Internal knowledge base Resource guides Online book/journal club Curriculum support

15. Project Management Develop library liaison program with a wiki Collaborate faster Stay updated Content clearinghouse Library Move Planning Wiki Pickens Library: UT MD Anderson Center http:// pickensmoveplan.wetpaint.com /

16. Internal Knowledge Base Repository for policies, procedures, organizational goals, & other pertinent info Intranet resource (not public) Interdepartmental communication & collaboration Good for larger libraries UBC HealthLib-Wiki University of British Columbia: Biomedical Branch Library http:// hlwiki.slais.ubc.ca / Wiki is members only

17. Resource Guide Compared to a static webpage Resource Guide, a wiki is… “ Semi-public” Searchable Easier navigation Faster to update Biz Wiki Ohio University Libraries http://www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/bizwiki/index.php/Main_Page

18. Online Book or Journal Club Add an online dimension to already existing program Outreach to remote populations Save time Trend in medical schools Johns Hopkins University Wiki component to journal club http:// jhedjournalclub.pbwiki.com /

19. Curriculum Support Supplement face-to- face classes Encourage participation & discussion Track development and changes Family Medicine Residency Wiki University of Pennsylvania http:// pennfm.pbwiki.com /

20. Wiki Software MediaWiki – Wikipedia’s platform Wetpaint – SNSCE, free, ads PBwiki - educational focus, no ads, free Discover more wiki resources Wikipedia list of wiki software Wikimatrix – compare wiki engines WikiWikiWeb Wiki Engine page & Top 10 list

21. Tips for Wikis in Liaison Work Clearly define your wiki’s purpose Identify your users Consider your institutional support Implement training Market your wiki

22. Question: Wikis What is your favorite application of a wiki within a liaison program? Internal knowledgebase/repository Online version of a book or journal club Resource Guide Project Management Curriculum support Wouldn't use Don't know The majority of class participants indicated they find wikis useful for Resource Guides.

23. Thank you! Maureen “Molly” Knapp, MA, AHIP [email_address] . edu Twiki, from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century . ‘Twiki’ is also the name of open source wiki software for business enterprises.