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.

Wikipedia as a source

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.

If you're new to Wikipedia, you may have gained the impression from descriptions you've read that it is pure anarchy. But Wikipedia defies classification in that it mixes anarchy, democracy, meritocracy, peer review, with a rare drop of benevolent dictatorship. Except for in extreme cases (see dispute resolution, below) the editorial content of Wikipedia is decided by what the references say is true, and what the community says is notable and encyclopaedic.

Wikipedia has a large number of administrators. Administrators are experienced and trusted users, but the title does not automatically convey editorial power: admins are expected to defend their editing in the same way as all editors are, and in everyday Wikipedia editing you will not usually notice who is and isn't an admin. Administrators are given tools and duties not open to other users, but these are mainly for the purpose of tidying up Wikipedia rather than controlling editorial content.

Wikipedia has a system of dispute resolution for occasions when two or more editors are unable to come to a consensus on an editorial issue. This usually involves the input of other community members, but includes an elected committee of experienced Wikipedians who have the power to ban problematic users in extreme cases.