Did you know that the Smithsonian Institution doesn't just include our museums, but houses over a dozen archival repositories and 20 branch libraries? Of course you did (because it is all on our Wikipedia pages).
Thus, we have lots of enthusiastic librarians and archivists among our staff who have been making plans to participate in Wikipedia Loves Libraries<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Loves_Libraries> this fall.
We are seeking partners from the DC Wikimedia chapter who would be interested in working with Smithsonian Staff to event(s) in October or November. Possible ideas include edit-a-thons, training/orientation for first time editors among our staff, & content donations to commons, but we are open to any and all ideas!
Please email me or leave a message on my talk page<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Sarasays> if you are interested in helping plan for this!
Best,
Sara
Sara Snyder
Webmaster, Archives of American Art
Smithsonian Institution
(202) 633-7987 | www.aaa.si.edu<http://www.aaa.si.edu/>
My apologies if this has been announced already. I imagine the current
Wikipedian in Residence at the National Archives is a known quantity
to many of you already. Dominic graciously agreed to visit to the
Library of Congress to talk about his experience working with
Wikipedia at NARA. The talk is open to the public so please feel free
to spread the word. I'm personally hoping that Dominic's visit will be
an opportunity to talk about how LC (and ogs) can use and promote
Wikipedia more effectively.
//Ed
Cultural Institutions and Wikipedia: a Mutually Beneficial Relationship
Dominic McDevitt-Parks
1:30 - 3:00
6th floor, James Madison Memorial Building
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cultural_Institutions_and_Wikipedia.…
Over the past few years, cultural institutions have formed
partnerships with Wikipedia in order to increase their visibility on
the web and connect with a vibrant community of online volunteers. As
a purpose-driven, non-profit educational project, Wikipedia and its
sister sites have shared values and interests with cultural
institutions that are only now being fully realized. The National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has become an enthusiastic
and vocal participant in this movement to build bridges with Wikipedia
and its community in the past year. Using specific examples,
McDevitt-Parks will discuss how NARA views the partnership as a
vehicle for increasing access to holdings, citizen engagement, and
openness, while addressing practical concerns and challenges
institutions will likely face if they choose to become involved.
Dominic McDevitt-Parks is the Wikipedian in Residence at the National
Archives and Records Administration and has served in that role since
May 2011. He came to NARA from the Archives Management program at
Simmons College and also holds a B.A. in history from Reed College. He
has been a volunteer Wikipedia contributor since 2004.
*The Smithsonian American Art
Museum<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithsonian_American_Art_Museum>
*and *Wikimedia DC* <http://wikimediadc.org/> present the "Masterpiece
Museum" Edit-a-Thon. Drawing from their vast vaults of art, the caretakers
of the Smithsonian American Art Museum have meticulously drawn forth canvas
jewels to import into Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia articles. The museum
directors and staff are excited about this project, and would love to have
experienced Wikimedians help in the effort!
*Where*
Smithsonian American Art Museum <http://americanart.si.edu/>, Luce
Foundation Center for American Art <http://americanart.si.edu/luce/> (3rd
floor)
*When*
August 10, 2012, 10 AM - 4 PM, *See the full schedule
here*<http://wikimediadc.org/wiki/Masterpiece_Museum#Schedule>
*Organizers*
Lisa Marrs (lisa.marrs(a)wikimediadc.org) (who is awesome and is the one who
did all the work for this :)), Nicholas Bashour (
nicholas.bashour(a)wikimediadc.org)
*How to sign up?*
Add your name to the
*sign-up*<http://wikimediadc.org/wiki/Masterpiece_Museum#Attendees>list
below and/or contact the organizers and/or RSVP on our
*Meetup page* <http://www.meetup.com/Wikimedia-DC/events/74197192/>!
*
Getting there*
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is located in front of the Gallery
Place/Chinatown Metro Station, but is also 3 blocks from the Metro Center
Station. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority provides a
schedule planner for how to arrive at any destination in the city.
To find nearby parking, please visit bestparking.com.
*
Accessibility*
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is fully wheelchair accessible, and
there is lift access to every floor. Accessible restrooms are easily
available on all floors. If you have any queries about accessibility,
please contact the organizers.