Wiki & the Library??

Today I explored the potential uses for wikis at the library. Some made sense, such as book discussion groups and knowledge banks for professionals. Other library wiki uses made me think “Cool” but really make sense, particularly if you’re trying to build a community. These include making catalog annotations, like customers are invited to do at Amazon or IMDB, intranets and web sites, and courseware.

For my department, I’m going to make a giant leap. Our budgeting team produces an award-winning budget book annually and department heads contributes their achievements. Maybe the Budget team makes a wiki so that instead of a once a year edit, the functional areas could add their achievements as they occur, making it easier to prepare a final draft at the deadline. Proofreading each section could also be easier because several people could proof read it before printing, with one final proof at the end. This might make the sections more cohesive and less compartmentalized, because others can see what is being written and how.

Who knows, wikis could assist with project management for those who missed meetings or in place of meetings input on projects without having to leave your office to drive to a destination.

So is there a place for wikis in the Library? They already are in use, but library wikis are only limited by our own lack of imagination.

PS. still searching for a tag line....