Quest 9 -Wiki

Wikis kind of remind me of blogs. It's like a lot people posting to one blog but the postings surround one central theme, subject or event. I like that the simplicity of wikis allows for a level playing field. You don't have to have a certain level of expertise to actually contribute. Wikis centered around special events are really good advertising tools. The Big Read project could have benefited from this. We can create one to get feedback from Library personnel and the public in order to better prepare for the next one. People might even want to suggest titles to choose as the next Big Read book. Things in life where a person benefits from a mix of opinions make for good wikis (i.e., restaurant reviews, book reviews, sharing recipes, hotel accomodations, travel recommendations, and consumer services). I would not go to a Wiki to seek authoritative information if I were doing serious research. You need to know that the information is being delivered from an approved source with sound accountability. I am familiar with the Wikipedia. Students often use it. I am sure that they will continue to use it. People just don't ask themselves when they are doing research if the source is valid. They make the assumption that if it is on the Internet then it must be right. We as librarians when the opportunity allows have got to try and educate them. We have to teach people basic principles to look for when evaluating the accuracy of a source. The library can benefit from Wikis. It would be nice to see a troubleshooting Wiki that staff can post to and make comments about problems encountered with PC Reservation or practical solutions that might have worked at their library location. We all have encountered a different degree of issues associated with this new process. We could definitely benefit from the shared comments of others especially as we move towards the implementation of print management at all locations. I can see a patron Wiki for posting book favorites, plotlines of books, and book reviews attached to our online catalog. Even a "What Our Staff is Reading" Wiki. People are always asking what the staff members are reading. They want suggestions. I noticed that when you walk into a Barnes & Noble they have a section titled," Staff Recommendations." Why can't the library do this? Out of the selection of Wiki sites that we were to peruse, I looked at the Book Lovers Wiki developed at Princeton University (I know, I know, I'm a librarian and I can't help but be drawn to books). I found some great suggestions on books to read and even better two very good reviews by regular folk on two books I'm planning to read this fall. I also looked at the SCLA Wiki. This was a cool idea. It gives detailed information about the conference. If there are any last minute updates or changes, this is quick place to go for information. I opted not to create a Wiki account at the present time but if I find one that really interests me I can certainly see myself joining it and posting what I hope would be helpful comments.