Hello,
We are excited to announce that we have been developing a Wikisource reader
app for Android mobile users for the last three months and the beta version
of the app is almost ready for testing. The development of the mobile app
was a much-awaited request from the Wikisource community and when fully
released, hopefully, it will help bring more readers to Wikisource
platforms and increase the visibility of this resourceful digital library.
*Necessary links of the reader app*
- A documentation page is in draft on meta wiki here -
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikisource_reader_app
- The Github repo of the code is here -
https://github.com/cis-india/Wikisource-Reader
*Wikidata integration*
We have been using the FRBR data model used in the Wikidata WikiProject
Books <https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Wikidata:WikiProject_Books> to handle
the descriptive metadata needed for filtering and categorizing the contents
of the app. To be included in the app, an edition should have
- fully proofread or validated
- transcluded into the main namespace or NS:0
- a Wikidata item with descriptive metadata property like title, author
etc.
- Wikisource index page url (P1957)
<https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Property:P1957> property linked with that
item
- Wikisource sitelink for the NS:0 transcluded page linked with that item
- a proofread and/or validated badge linked with that sitelink.
Here are a few example of the book editions which are included in the app
- An example of a Bangla book edition is this one
<https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105763275>
- A list of all French books to be included in the app can be found here
- https://w.wiki/CkMP
*Pilot languages and API*
In the beta version, we have piloted with English, French and Bangla as
these three languages are storing their metadata on Wikidata. We will roll
out for other languages gradually. An API was built using Django and
deployed on Toolforge which serves a catalogue of books following the data
model described above. It periodically runs a set of SPARQL queries to
retrieve data, processes that data and updates the database.
- Link - https://wsindex.toolforge.org/books/
- Repo - https://codeberg.org/ph4ni/wsindex
*Features*
We have decided to display the books in epub format which will be generated
through WS-export tool <https://ws-export.wmcloud.org>. Any issues related
to epub generation can be reported here
<https://github.com/wikimedia/ws-export>.
Right now, the following features are available
1. Browse through a list of works which are completely proofread or
validated.
2. Filter based on the language or literary form of your choice.
3. Search for books by title or author.
4. Download books to your local device for offline access.
5. Share links to the Wikisource page of each book.
6. Read, delete, and track completion percentage of books in your local
library.
7. Change font size, look up words, and access a dictionary.
8. Switch between dark and light themes for comfortable reading.
9. Use the app in multiple languages.
Currently, we are working on the following areas
- Internal epub reader which can render the styling of the contents as
much as possible
- Design of the contents and metadata within the app
- Fixes here and there
*Next steps*
In coming days, we will
- start conversation with the Wikisource communities to make aware about
the app, share the workflow needed to include contents there and get
feedback for further development. (We had one call with the Marathi
Wikisource community already).
- *Next community conversation hour*
- Sunday, 26 January 12:00 – 13:00 UTC
- Video call link: https://meet.google.com/khd-qvfy-nsr
- discuss with all stakeholders regarding necessary steps.
- register for Google Play Store and release the stable version of the
app there
- release the app in other play stores gradually.
We would like to specially thank Sai Phanindra, who has developed the app
as an assignment from CIS-A2K.
Regards,
Bodhisattwa
(Part-time consultant, CIS-A2K)
Hello everyone, best wishes for a happy and healthy 2025!
We have a new monthly Global GLAM call in the coming week. It's on Tuesday,
January 14, at 8.00 UTC. Hope to see many of you there! See the agenda and
register here:
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:Global_GLAM_call_2025-01-14
The current agenda (still subject to small changes):
* Updates on Wiki GLAM, Culture and Heritage Conference 2025 with
User:Conbene
* Wikisource adding eBooks to public libraries with
User:Giantflightlessbirds
* Update on a "Veteran" Wikimedians in Residence blog post with
User:OlafJanssen
* Evaluation of the first two Global GLAM calls
* Proposal for a Collaborative GLAM event calendar
* And any topics/questions you may have.
*Next calls in 2025 - please volunteer to host and facilitate!*
*From February onwards, we would like to invite diverse groups to
facilitate one of the monthly Global GLAM calls. You can host a call in a
language of your choice. Simultaneous translation can be provided.*
*You can indicate your interest to host a call in this
spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/102hbDUivLhJ6Bu2Gi9upvb3VtHF8dnrzE_4…
<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/102hbDUivLhJ6Bu2Gi9upvb3VtHF8dnrzE_4…>
*
Dear GLAM Community,
We’re thrilled to announce the theme for our 2025-2026 campaign: “What
would a truly feminist internet look like?”
The internet isn’t neutral—it often mirrors and magnifies the biases and
inequalities of our offline world. But what if it didn’t? What if the
digital space actively fostered inclusivity, equity, and the amplification
of marginalized voices? That’s the vision behind this campaign, and we’re
inviting you to be part of it.
Over the next two years, Art+Feminism will collaborate with visual artists,
technologists, activists, and cultural professionals to rethink how the
internet operates and its impact on marginalized communities. This is a
call to action to imagine and build a digital world rooted in safety,
equity, and collective empowerment—with us.
Ways to Get Involved with Art+Feminism:
-
Edit-a-thons: Partner with us to improve representation and content
online.
-
Roundtable Discussions: Join our conversations to explore new
possibilities for digital equity.
-
Collective Action: Work with us to develop and lead innovative,
community-focused initiatives—globally and locally, online and offline.
We’re here to collaborate with you to bring this vision to life and invite
you to create alongside us as part of the Art+Feminism movement.
*Resources to Help You Get Started: *
- Full Campaign Letter & Additional Resources
<https://35df92cb.streaklinks.com/CREitlRGho-n3hP4zwOiwwvH/https%3A%2F%2Fart…>
- Suggested Timeline for Event Organizers
<https://35df92cb.streaklinks.com/CREitlRoKEfvzsbnbQ34deRL/https%3A%2F%2Fdoc…>
- 2025 Task List
<https://35df92cb.streaklinks.com/CREitlZNzVMiZSXFqg7R0OSR/https%3A%2F%2Fen.…>
- Art+Feminism Meta Page
<https://35df92cb.streaklinks.com/CREitlRIiBvceP0pawdJ8Z7b/https%3A%2F%2Fmet…>
If you have questions or are ready to get involved, email us at
info(a)artandfeminism.org. Let’s work together to shape the future of the
feminist internet!
In solidarity,
Art+Feminism
--
info(a)artandfeminism.org
www.artandfeminism.org
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