Week 7, Thing # 16, Wikis

The eighth web 2.0 tools I learn is Wikis. A wiki is a collaborative website and authoring tool that allows users to easily add, remove and edit content. An example is Wikipedia.

Benefits of wikis:

• Anyone can add, edit or delete content.

• Tracking tools within wikis allow users to easily keep up on what been changed and by whom.

• Earlier versions of a page can be rolled back and viewed when needed.

• Users do not need to know HTML in order to apply styles to text or add and edit content. In most cases simple syntax structure is used.

As the use of wikis has grown over the last few years, libraries all over the world have begun to use them to collaborate and share knowledge.

Library wikis: TPLib Wiki (Subject Guides Wiki), Open WorldCat

The types of applications within libraries and schools that might work well with a wiki:

• Subject guides

patrons can add to the collection of useful resources
librarian can moderate the wiki and decide what websites can stay in the guide                        

• Annotating the catalog

adding wiki functionality to the catalog would allow patrons to post synopses and reviews for books they’ve already read
this extra content would help patrons make informed reading decisions from the library catalog of whether the book will meet their needs

• Community wiki
• Wikis for Librarians 
• Meetings (posting agendas, discussion prior to meeting, etc.)

In conclusion

Internally wikis can make it easier to share information among librarians. Externally, they can make the library’s website a true online community.

More info at

What is a Wiki? – Library Success wiki presentation

Using Wikis to Create Online Communities – a good overview of what a wiki is and how it can be used in libraries.

These three wiki templates are most commonly been used:

MediaWiki                    PBWorks                    Wikispaces

Which should I use??