Exploration 7 - Wikis

I think Wikis are quickly becoming my favorite aspect of the web 2.0 era. They are a terrific way to gather, collaborate and share all types of information. In addition, they are easily searchable, making for quick access if someone wants to find something specific in a large document or site. The 2008 MLA conference actually featured a session on Wikis in the workplace, where librarians from UMBC and Loyola Maryland showed how their libraries are using this technology for the benefit of both patrons and staff.

I've always felt that one of the best uses for a Wiki in the library environment was as the electronic version of a policy and procedure manual. Instead of having several individual document files scattered on a drive or in a folder on server, all components of the manual could be a part of the wiki. Library staff could restrict access to only those allowed to manipulate the manual, with the option to restore a previous version of a document if the most recent edit is not to the liking of whoever is in charge. Changes to the manual would be easy to track, while searching the manual for what a staff member needs to find at a given moment would be much easier. I know that some libraries (at least on the academic end) are starting to go this direction with their P&P manual, with positive results. Seeing how my branch's current manual is stored (and managed) electronically, I think it's something we might want to look into as well.

Systemwide, I think it might be interesting to switch our "recommended sites" page over to a Wiki, to allow for staff from all over the system to add links when they find them. There may be some issues here in terms of regulating the quality of links (having an editor who approves changes, for instance), or maybe who on staff would be considered "qualified" to post, but it would be an interesting approach.