I've been wanting to highlight one of my favorite new cataloging blogs, The Cataloguing Librarian. Yesterday, Laurel Tarulli, the blog's author, writes about her cataloguing department's wiki which she just got up and running:
Although not fully implemented, my first step with our Wiki was to introduce the cataloguers to its possible functions and uses. I put up many of our cataloguing “cheat sheets”, links to relevant cataloguing sites, department announcements and recent cataloguing decisions from LC and LAC. Sending them the link to the Wiki, I asked them to have a look around, get use to the navigating aspects and layouts. Upon reviewing the site, I asked for their feedback: What did they like? Dislike? Ideas for adding new content?
With my excitement in this project and by taking the time to answer questions and explain the possibilities of the Wiki, all of the cataloguers began suggesting ideas or providing me with feedback. One of the most rewarding moments was when one of the cataloguers suggested we put our “working” New Lists on the Wiki.
Another example of using wikis in technical services is described in a PowerPoint presentation by Jennifer Lang, Creating a Technical Services Wiki: Improving Communication and Increasing Productivity:
The Electronic Resources Cataloging Committee (ERCC) at Princeton University Library created an internal wiki in order to improve its effectiveness. Since its implementation, the ERCC wiki has not only introduced staff to a new technology, it has also reduced the number of committee‑related emails, provided a one‑stop place for drafting and revising policies, helped the committee be more timely in making decisions, and has encouraged more widespread participation among all committee members. This presentation demonstrates the process of setting up a wiki and covers some of the benefits and drawbacks of using a wiki to facilitate group work.
And last (and definitely least!) is the technical services wiki, that I'm putting together at work. It's a work in progress, so please be kind with comments. I am trying to re-write our old documentation in a more web-friendly style and still have a lot more to add. I'm loving the wiki--it's so well suited for documenting local procedure, etc.
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