[Gendergap] Oclc Wikipedia + Libraries project - Webjunction program

Hello all - I'm Monika, longtime reader of this list! I've been following this conversation on increasing the diversity of Wikipedias contributors with some interest, as well as the conversation on professional connections on Wikipedia spaces. It seems relevant and valuable to share with this group details about the project in working on -- and to invite your help. I'm a WIR for Oclc's 18-month Wikipedia + Libraries project. http://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/wikipedia-libraries.html This fall the project is running an online training program for up to 500 US public library staff to learn about engaging Wikipedia in their libraries for their communities. The curriculum will cover a wide variety of subjects specific to English Wikipedia (it's history, pillars, community norms, issues of reliability, authority control, organization and user roles, editing and editorial flow, COI, etc.). Through observations, exercises, case studies and small assignments, the participants will slowly learn best practices, then gain strategies to apply what they know about Wikipedia to improve info literacy in their communities. By the end the goal is to have the participants be confident that they can engage Wikipedia, understand what they are doing and how it works, and make a plan for next step in editing and designing programming. The course will take place on Webjunction, a learning place for libraries that's been serving 80,000+ library staff globally since 2003. By participating in the nine week course, US public library staff will earn a certificate and some can apply for continuing education credits for their participation. As a WebJunction course, the focus will be on how Wikipedia editing and programming is relevant to library work. Public library staff participating will see how Wikipedia make sense to them as information professionals and possibly, give them reasons to make Wikipedia editing and outreach a part of their staff duties. The curriculum will make suggestions about activities to try at their libraries and include guest speakers who have edited and done outreach as public library staff. Given the interest in this thread on helping newcomers, and how that works, I wanted to share the specifics of this project and I invite folks in this list to participate in the program as a volunteer guide for one (or more) of the course modules. When I reading Fluffernutter's story, and Pine's, I was smiling - thank you for sharing, I completely agree, the times I've felt most encouraged in trying something new have been when I am genuinely curious and feel comfortable in asking questions -- for me this has also been in a course environment; a safe learning space is critical to gaining the confidence to participate in something new. I think it holds for a big project like Wikipedia, which has many esoteric technical features and so many guides and policies. For this reason I am interested in recruiting a few thoughtful, helpful editors to join this program to mentor / guide public library staff. Most of the participants in the nine week course (Sept 13 - Nov 15; six live online sessions) will be new to editing and the technical/community aspects of editing. ~77% of public library respondents in the preview webinar survey said they use Wikipedia weekly but have never edited Wikipedia. 98% said Wikipedia is relevant to their jobs. They would benefit from meeting and getting help and support from real human Wikipedians familiar with the social norms and features of the technical interface. In return, you can learn more about public libraries, what they do, their services and missions. Public libraries and Wikipedia share many values -- including commitments to civility and providing free open access to information. The course will take place on WebJunction's learning platform. To ensure privacy, the interactive forums are all there. Guiding and mentoring would require about hour or three for a 2-week module (and you could help out in more than one module). Modules are (roughly): 1) about Wikipedia, 2) editing 101, 3) Wikipedia and information literacy programs, 4) Wikipedia and community outreach. I am glad for the opportunity to share this with the gender gap list, and I hope that if you are curious you will reach out. I'm actually writing this en-route to Montreal (first time at Wikimania! Excited! Pls pardon grammar and informality, I'm writing this on my phone!) and will be presenting the project at 4pm on Thursday and Sunday at 11:00am... feel free to email me directly or attend if you are also coming. also share! There's also a simple form to fill out if you prefer too https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8XPTQXK Thanks to the members of this list for your consideration / attention to my email and for the dynamic conversations over the years on tough-to-solve issues ... /MSJ Sent from my mobile phone possibly using voice control, please pardon errors