Wikipedia:WikiProject Libraries/Introduction

This page is intended to serve as an introduction to how Wikipedia works specifically aimed at Librarians, part of WikiProject Librarians.

To do list

The to do list taken from the main project page:

• overview: (see: Overview, Frequently Asked Questions, Tutorial)
• arguments for the value of Wikipedia and for librarians to contribute to it. Good stuff here: Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia, Wikipedia:Schools' FAQ
• administrative structure of wikipedia: who has what powers (see: Administration of Wikipedia and Power structure of Wikipedia)
• social dynamics: use of discussion pages, how controversial pages are closely monitored, etc. etc. (see: Etiquette, Neutral point-of-view, Editing policy, Stay cool, Dispute resolution, How to use talk pages, Community Portal)
• tools: using Wikipedia, monitoring articles, finding tasks (see: Benefits to creating an account, Using watchlists, Utilities)
• etiquette: the right way to join the community and start working (see: Be bold!, Contributing, Contributing FAQ, Editing, How to edit, Copyright FAQ, Glossary)
• deeper structures: how the software development works (e.g. for dynamic pages like the ISBN page) (and I have no idea about how this works) (see: Technical FAQ)

Main point: we can't expect anyone to be impressed by an approach that boils down to "stand back, I'm a librarian, I'm trained to handle this". Our success will depend on our power to persuade, to come up with better ideas and to defend them.

Editing Wikipedia

Main articles: Tutorial, Be bold!, Contributing, Contributing FAQ, Editing, How to edit.

The Wikipedia community

Main article: Community Portal.

Authority and administration

Main articles: Dispute resolution, Administration of Wikipedia and Power structure of Wikipedia.