Wikis are advantageous, particularly to library staff, because an individual's technological skills can differ greatly in this profession. Librarians who have ideas for the content of a web page, but not the knowledge of computer programming languages, can actively participate using Wiki software. This assists the person (or people) who usually take responsibility for web page updates in the library and promotes sharing the workload and team building.
Wikis could be used internally by library staff in the creation of a document such as the compiling of branch meeting minutes. Staff from branch libraries could contribute their individual reports and further editing can be made by any staff to correct inaccuracies.
Wikis can be used by librarians as a searching tool on the reference desk or for searching at home. I read a Wiki set up for a librarian conference in Chicago in 2005: http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wiki/. I found the information about the city provided by locals very interesting from a travel perspective. I'd like to visit soon! This lead me to perform a Google search using a city's name, the word travel and wiki. Chicago aside, I found the Australia Travel Wiki: http://www.australiatravelwiki.com/?t=anon. This site is powered by Wetpaint software.
Additionally libraries could develop a community wiki to provide a place for members of the public to provide information about upcoming events and give reviews on restaurants, shopping (or anything really!) in the local area. Aside from being an interesting source of information a wiki such as this would further establish the presence of the library in the online environment.
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