Thing #17 - LPLS Staff Wiki

I was really surprised that there were so many sections of the Circulation Manual still available to add since I feel so far behind most everyone else in these exercises. These are the articles that I added to the lpls.pbwiki.com.

Circulation Manual: Missing - Damaged - Lost

This section contains the following articles:
Assumed Lost
Assumed Lost - Billing
Claims Return
Damaged Items
Item Missing Parts
Billing Lost and Damaged Books
Missing Items

I think this wiki is great! I can't wait to see more added. The possibilities are nearly limitless. I see using a wiki for all types of training and for providing new information to staff members. The minutes for staff meetings, the LINK, schedules, calendars, special events- they can all be posted on a wiki for staff members to access from anywhere they happen to need or want the information.

Thing #16 - What's in a Wiki?

We've all heard of Wikipedia and it's questionable content. I like it for some general information but for obvious reasons suggest alternate sources for researchers. I liked the Wikipedia Exercise on the Library Instruction Wiki where the instructor creates what she calls a "mad lib" to show how easy it is for anyone to add spurious information to the site. Most everyone, especially Tennesseans, know about the Seigenthaler controversy showing the dangers inherent in a open publishing and editing environment.

Some of the very things that make wikis so great are the same things that detract from the idea of using them- anyone can add and make changes to them. A wiki might not be the answer for a control freak. Where the possibility for mischief exists, vandals will congregate. Despite my own tendency toward a need to control my environment; I think wikis are a valuable tool for disseminating and sharing information. I can see many uses for a wiki in genealogy research and local history collaboration. Libraries can use one to post how-to instructions, resource guides, genealogy forms, website links, and on and on. Libraries and individuals can use a wiki to coordinate projects of all kinds so that the information is accessible from anywhere an Internet connection is available by everyone involved. The possibilities are very exciting.