The Wikipedia Library/1Lib1Ref/Resources

I want to edit

Why Should I Participate?

Wikipedia is an invaluable part of every researcher's process. More references make Wikipedia a better reference tool. Join us, and make a small contribution to the sum of all human knowledge!

Because anyone can edit Wikipedia, the Wikipedia community has developed a core strategy to ensure the quality of information in its articles: including footnotes to reliable sources to allow Wikipedia readers to "verify" the information. This strategy helps the global volunteer community effectively work towards meeting Wikipedia's vision: creating "the sum of all human knowledge."

Readers and editors who don't feel confident about a piece of information in an article can add a "citation needed" tag next to that statement. These tags are similar to reference questions: members of the public asking for reliable research to back up the information they are reading. English Wikipedia alone has over 380,000 citation needed statements.

Thousands of articles need more references; 210,000 articles on English Wikipedia have no references at all.^[1] Imagine if every librarian in the world took 15 minutes to address one of the citation needed queries! Wikipedia would greatly reduce these gaps.

Do you have a reference? You can provide a citation to verify a statement!

Have you already found a reference for a statement in an article that lacks citation? Watch the resources below to learn how to add a citation on Wikipedia.

How to add a citation (Video)

I don’t know how to find a citation needed tagged statement?

Are you in search for a citation needed tagged statement? Look no further, watch the resources below to learn how to find an article to add a reference to on Wikipedia using the Citation Hunt tool.

How to add a citation using citation hunt (GIF)
How to add a citation using citation hunt (Video)

Want to do more?

Add an external link or further reading

Adding an external link of further reading can provide additional insight to an article. Visit our page on external links and further reading to learn more.

I want to organize

Do you want to organize a #1lib1ref event in your community?

#1LIB1REF has been used by many communities to recruit new members as well as onboard new librarians into the Wikimedia space. The campaign approach is to have a big impact with little efforts by providing basic steps to add references to improve articles of your interest on Wikipedia. Leveraging the organization of the campaign can be a unique opportunity to improve thematic topics of concern from your country or region. #1LIB1REF is a powerful way to also solve the gaps that exist on Wikipedia by improving the reliability and sources to information that exist on uncovered or underrepresented communities. Below are some resources that share general guidelines as well as highlighted experiences of how the campaign has been organised in different parts of the movement.

Organizer's Guide Case Studies

I want to share

You can also participate in the campaign by extending the reach of the campaign through sharing of the campaign resources within your circles, on social media, with your institution or neighbouring institution. Let's get the word out!

Share the campaign video on
Share a 1 pager version of how to add a citation (JPEG) on
Share the GIF of how to add a citation on
Share the video on how to add a citation on
Share the GIF of how to add a citation using citation hunt on
Share the video on how to add a citation using citation hunt on
Pre-created posts (yes, you can just copy a post and share!)

Don't forget to use the hashtag #1Lib1Ref!