wikis in the library

Wikis are definitely one of those "killer applications" mentioned by Emma Tonkin - they have changed the world and the way we think about information. The trick is to get people who feel like they are not tech savvy enough to create a wiki involved. And I feel like after  all the readings for this week I could actually talk to anyone about how useful and fun wikis can be both professionally and personally.

The first way I plan on using wikis here in my library is by using it as a tool for collaboration between myself and two of my colleagues while we prepare for our presentation we are giving at the NISOD conference in Austin, Texas. Wikis are absolutely perfect for this - we can compile a list of resources, work on editing the text of our presentation, make a schedule of important deadlines - the list goes on and on. I am sure we will be surprised at all the other ways we find of using this tool. Another benefit of this is that it will pave the way for implementation of our very own library wiki which we hope to use as an internal way of communicating between librarians and staff.

Using wikis as subject guides and as a Ready Reference resource is also definitely something I am interested in. One of the librarians here has already started experimenting with PbWiki and I must say, after looking at all the other wiki software I am thinking PbWiki is the one I favor as well. It is just so simple to set up and use! Although I must admit I am still getting used to the way wikis actually look - they aren't the prettiest of things and the way they are set up is very different than what I am used to (Brian Lamb talks about this when he talks of the disorientation people feel when first visiting a wiki) - but as with anything else, one always gets used to things!

The most important thing I am realizing over the past couple of weeks is that no matter what, libraries MUST adopt at least some of these new technologies. As Brian Lamb says "Change is happening, what remains unknown is whether educators, institutions and developers will join (or coexist with) the revolutionary forces or wether they'll stand their ground and simply be overrun." I am proud to be part of this class where we are all trying to adopt new skills and knowledge and are determined not to be overrun!