Wikimedian in Residence for the National Library of Scotland | 7/31/2014
(Sample) Wikipedian-in-Residence Scope diagram for a GLAM-Wikimedian Partnership
Recommendations for the National Library of Scotland
In terms of the National Library of Scotland's involvement with GLAMWiki collaborations and an on-going relationship with Wikimedia, it seems to me that the best opportunities for a lasting relationship lie in the release of digital content, the incorporation of that content into Wikipedia as widely as possible, and the continued support of events in collaboration with other organisations, groups, or individuals. At present, the lack of involvement with curatorial staff, education and outreach staff, and events management staff, make sustaining this kind of support in particular difficult.
I would therefore recommend that the Library shift its attention away from training employees on Wikipedia and towards raising awareness of Wikimedia style events, how to organise them, and their benefits and overall impact. I would also recommend that these kinds of events receive support from the outreach and events management staff on the same level as other significant Library-hosted events. I would also recommend that the Library aim to organise and run at least one large-scale Wikimedia event each year, ideally a backstage pass type event to enhance an exhibition, and incorporate the organisation of this event into staff job plans and, where necessary, into the exhibition planning stage.
I also recommend that the Library consider releasing the master .tiff versions of all compatible files as part of its annual review of the new open access policy, once the policy and a method for uploading content and metadata are in place. Finally, as a National Library I would recommend that the NLS approach other Scottish GLAM organisations to introduce them to the terms of the Metadata and Digital Content Licensing Policy, and to outline the concerns and discussions that fed into its approval and implementation.
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