Wiki: Marketing Your Library Resources

In a research written by Bejune (2007), a Wiki can be used to collaborate among libraries,among library staff, among library staff and patrons and then among patrons.  There are several Wiki software tools to use in public and private libraries.  In this blog, the WikiMatrix (Click Here To View Comparison) was used to compare the features of four wikis to consider for this library: Wikispaces, MediaWiki, PmWiki, and TWiki.  These wikis are presently operating in academic libraries.

Library Main Characteristics 
The University Library and Learning Resources which is a mid-sized academic library, serves a student population of 6,076 as of Fall 2013 Semester.  The library opened in 1977 with 100,000 square feet of library space and a seating capacity for approximately 600 patrons. In 2007, a total of $20 million dollars were budgeted for the renovation of an additional 46,000 square foot to the library facility. In the 2007 fiscal year, an estimated amount of $109,000.00 dollars were granted to the library budget for print, non-print, and electronic resources. The library dean, a co-founder of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Library Alliance established the HBCU Digital Collections.

Goal of the Wiki
The goal of the Library Wiki is to collaborate its mission to the patrons and the local and global communities.  The wiki would also guide its users to information of digital documentation for using electronic databases.  Finally, the goal is to allow libraries and informational professionals share their ideas, materials, and unique successful stories pertaining to the library.

Library Requirements for a Wiki

• Need to be free and open source
• Intended Audience-End Users/Desktop
• License Cost/Fee- Zero
• Data Storage-Database
• PDF Export-Plugin
• Authentication Backends-Yes
• Preview-Yes
• Page Revisions-Unlimited
• Comments
• Other General Requirements-HTML and Page History

The Recommended Wiki for this Library
MediaWiki (Click Here Media Wiki)

Suggested Reading
Bejune, M. M. (2007).  Wikis in libraries.  Information Technology & Libraries, 26(3), 26-38.