I had a couple of really interesting conversations last week that have led to some good ideas. I wonder if you might like to take a look and share any thoughts.

Firstly, I'm in touch with a fairly senior manager of a local authority library service. We've talked about how Wikipedia is widely used in public libraries and I wondered how we might engage with those people. I've put together a draft proposal at https://wiki.wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Draft_proposal:_Thurrock_Libraries and would love to get your views.

Secondly, I enjoyed a cup of coffee with Dhaval Vyas last week, an editor of both English and Gujarati Wikipedias. We explored how the chapter might successfully reach out to the community of Gujarati editors and potential editors in the UK. The proposal we ended up with is Wiki Takes Leicester. This will be a traditional Wiki Takes event with a twist. Take a look at https://wiki.wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Draft_proposal:_Wiki_Takes_Leicester and get involved.

Both of these projects, if they go ahead, would serve as very useful pilots for different reasons. Firstly, public libraries present the chapter with a great opportunity for large-scale outreach. Secondly, the UK has an extraordinary rich linguistic diversity. We can, and should, be reaching out to people who may be interested in learning to edit in non-English/Welsh languages. The success or otherwise of these initiatives could go a long way to helping shape future activities in these important areas.

Your constructive feedback is very much appreciated.

Thanks and regards,

Stevie
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Stevie Benton
Communications Organiser
Wikimedia UK
+44 (0) 20 7065 0993 / +44 (0) 7803 505 173
@StevieBenton

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