Wikimedians of Arusha/Activity Reports 2023-24/1Lib1Ref
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Event Description
1lib1ref (One Librarian, One Reference), organized by the Wikimedians of Arusha, is a global campaign aimed at improving the quality of Wikipedia by adding missing references to articles. Held annually, the event encourages librarians and information professionals to contribute their expertise to Wikimedia projects.
Goals
- Expand Content Coverage:
Enhance the reliability of Wikipedia by adding accurate references.
- Grow and Engage the Community:
Engage librarians and information professionals in Wikimedia projects.
- Strengthen Capacities:
Provide training for effective referencing and citation practices.
- Address the Gender Gap:
Encourage female librarians to participate in the campaign.
- Build Strategic Partnerships:
Collaborate with libraries and information institutions.
- Raise Awareness and Promote Inclusiveness:
Highlight the importance of accurate referencing in open knowledge.
Number of Participants
The event attracted librarians and information professionals from various institutions.
Event Outcomes
- Content Creation:
Over 62 references were added to Wikipedia articles. Significant improvements were made to the quality of 478 Wikipedia articles. Enhanced reliability of content related to underrepresented topics.
- Community Engagement:
The event featured workshop and edit-a-thon, engaging librarians in collaborative referencing. New members from the library community joined the Wikimedians of Arusha.
- Capacity Building:
Participants received training on effective referencing and citation practices. Educational resources and tutorials on referencing were developed and distributed.
- Gender Gap Addressing:
Special sessions encouraged female librarians’ participation, resulting in 50% increase in female contributors. Articles related to notable female figures and topics were improved with accurate references.
- Strategic Partnerships:
Collaborations with 2 libraries and information institutions were established. Joint initiatives with educational institutions integrated referencing practices into academic programs.
- Awareness and Inclusiveness:
Outreach activities raised awareness about the importance of accurate referencing in open knowledge. Efforts to include underrepresented communities resulted in more diverse and inclusive participation.
Event Learnings
- Expert Engagement is Crucial:
Engaging librarians and information professionals significantly improves content quality.
- Training Enhances Contributions:
Providing training on referencing practices improves the quality of contributions.
- Inclusivity Requires Deliberate Efforts:
Targeted initiatives are necessary to encourage participation from underrepresented groups.
- Partnerships Enhance Impact:
Collaborating with libraries and institutions enhances resource availability and project impact.
- Tracking Progress is Important:
Measuring the number of references added helps in assessing impact and refining strategies for future events.
Conclusion
1lib1ref was a significant success, enhancing the reliability of Wikipedia and engaging a vibrant community of librarians and information professionals. The event underscored the importance of accurate referencing, training, and inclusivity in achieving our vision of accessible and beneficial open knowledge. Moving forward, the learnings from 1lib1ref will guide our efforts to sustain and enhance our community’s impact on the Wikimedia movement.