Page:Wikipedia and Academic Libraries.djvu/142

Rh Wiki Edu handbook on evaluating Wikipedia is available to aid any user in the rudiments for evaluating the quality of articles, be able to recognize biases in any article, and develop strong habit in evaluating the resources being used while researching (Wikimedia Commons, 2016). Contributors can be identified by their username, which directs you to their user pages for further assessment. The progress of each article can be monitored and the article talk page is a good avenue to access the editing history, including the controversies surrounding any article.

Conclusion

Academic libraries in Africa partnering with Wikimedia projects is a relevant collaboration. It equips library professionals with the skills to freely add reliable contents to the free online encyclopedia as well as provide access for digital skills training to the community of librarians. The similarities coexisting in the mission and vision of the two entities necessitated the partnership. Wikipedia is a wonderland of information, therefore active involvement of libraries in editing Wikipedia will encourage proper and enhanced usage of Wikipedia for academic activities. Integration of Wikipedia into academic library services enhances free access to knowledge and encourages the building of further partnerships. The existing partnership serves as a litmus to the high compatibility and relevancy of long-term collaboration. Wikipedia promotes discoverability of libraries’ resources and librarians improve the reliability of Wikipedia contents. Using Wikipedia is not something to be ashamed of, but an important tool to leverage on, in pursuit of your academic endeavor. Academic libraries + Wikimedia means sustainability of free knowledge/information and literacy for all.

References

AfLIA, (2019). African librarians invited to contribute knowledge to Wikipedia, through a new Wikimedia/AfLIA partnership. https://web.aflia.net/african-librarians-invited-to-contribute-knowledge-to-wikipediathrough-a-new-wikimedia-aflia-partnership/.