Michigan Libraries Wiki

MLC Launches Michigan Libraries Wiki

The Michigan Library Consortium (MLC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Michigan Libraries Wiki http://mlcnet.org/wiki, an online resource of information for libraries. Michigan librarians can consult the new Wiki to find out what services other libraries in the state are offering, ranging from coffee shop services to MySpace pages to digitization projects, as well as sample library policies, consultant lists, RFP resources and more. Like Wikipedia, the Michigan Libraries Wiki is open for librarians and others to add content to the wiki pages.

“Our goal is to provide a useful library wiki for Michigan library staff from all types of libraries,” said Randy Dykhuis, MLC Executive Director. “We’re asking library staff, trustees, Library Friends, consultants, speakers, and others to contribute to the wiki to create a resource for information and news about Michigan libraries’ activities, policies, and projects. All are invited to share policies, services, ideas, and best practices.”

To build the initial content for the wiki, MLC staff began with the questions most frequently asked by member libraries. These included inquiries posted on Michigan library listservs or asked of MLC staff, such as requests for library consultant lists, sample policies, sample RFPs, and lists of libraries providing new services such as MySpace pages, blogs, coffee bars, home delivery, and digital collections.

“We’re frequently asked for information on digitization projects in Michigan,” said Ruth Dukelow, MLC Associate Director, “so we included a page on the wiki where libraries can add links to their digitization projects, institutional repositories, and special collections. Prior to the launch, we populated the Wiki pages with a lot of information, but we expect that the content will be greatly expanded once Michigan library staff begin to add to the Wiki.”

For more information, visit the Michigan Libraries Wiki at http://mlcnet.org/wiki or contact Ruth Dukelow, Associate Director, MLC, (800) 530-9019 x121 or dukelow@mlcnet.org.

[18 Sep 2007]