Library Website 2.0: Integrating Wiki Software to

Enhance Content of the Library's Website

Justin Robertson, MLIS, AHIPJudy Burnham, MLS, AHIPJie Li, MLS, AHIPEllen Sayed, MLS, AHIP

Biomedical Library / University of South Alabama / Mobile, AL

What is Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 is the term given to describe a second generation of the World Wide Web that is focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online. Web 2.0 basically refers to the transition from static HTML Web pages to a more dynamic Web that is more organized and is based on serving Web applications to users. Other improved functionality of Web 2.0 includes open communication with an emphasis on Web-based communities of users, and more open sharing of information. (from Webopedia www.webopedia.com)

• Blogs (Web Logs)• Social Networking Sites (i.e. Facebook,

MySpace)• Wiki’s

Some Web 2.0 technologies:

Where to go…with Web 2.0?

• Should library create new Web 2.0 resources or reformat existing, static html pages?

• What technologies would best suit the library and it’s users

• What didn’t work for us – BLOGS

• What may work for us – a Wiki

Why a Wiki?

• Collaborative

• Increased input

• More scrutiny

• Increased visibility

• “Hot tech” factor

What is a Wiki?

A wiki is a website that allows visitors to add, remove, edit and change content, typically without the need for registration. It also allows for linking among any number of pages. This ease of interaction and operation makes a wiki an effective tool for mass collaborative authoring.

Wiki characteristics:

- Collaborative

Authoring

- Open editing

- Easy linking

- Always a “work in

progress”

Original Medical Specialties/Subject Page

Medical Specialties: Cardiology

Problems & Issues

• Depends individual work load

• Infrequent updating

• Generally just check for bad links – no new content added

• Pages not double-checked for errors

• Only one individual responsible for multiple pages with multiple links

Comparing Wiki Software

• Use free wiki service or purchase software?

• If free which one to choose

• Characteristics of different wiki’s

• Ease of use

• Flexibility

Popular (free) Wiki Software

• Site hosted for free• No limits on number of pages, forums capacity, number of users

or bandwidth.• No ads• Private or public wikis• Extensibility (videos, music, podcasts etc.) – currently 100MB per• Forum for each Site• Private messaging for registered users• RSS export• Easy content categorization (tag clouds, structured site maps).• Administrator • Custom themes• Secure login

Why ?

Wikidot.com

Wikidot.com

Wikidot.com

Medical Matters: Cardiology

Wikidot editing…

Conclusions

• Use technology that suits institution’s needs • New tech only helpful if used by patrons• Wiki’s collect information – from multiple resources

(in this case people)• More input = more information• More input (also) = more errors• Must oversee with care• Perhaps Web 2.0’s most relevant feature for the

future of the “virtual” library.