Patron 2.0: The UnOfficial Library Wiki
A funny thing happens when you google the words Bull Run Library: the first item that pops up is not the official website for the library system, but instead a patron created and run wiki for the library.
When Michael Casey and Laura Savastinuk wrote back in 2006 that “the heart of Library 2.0 is user-centered change,” I wonder if they envisioned users not only interacting and participating more on a library websites but users actually creating their own library websites. That is, did they ever see their idea of Library 2.0 being less about user-centered change and more about user-created change? They should have because the Bull Run Library Wiki was around back in 2006.
The Bull Run Library is part of the the Prince William Public Library System, which is located in Manassas, VA. The patron created wiki is a pretty neat site. It’s got the usual library website sections on adult programs, children programs, the library itself, and upcoming events. It’s updated several times a week and everything posted is current.
If fact, the wiki works so well as a library site that I thought it was the official library site when I first checked it out. It was only when I couldn’t find a link to the actual catalogue (they do link to WorldCat) that I noticed the small disclaimer on every page that states “This website is not sponsored by nor associated with the Prince William County Library System or Prince William County.” A further notice states “Bull Run Library Wiki is created by and for the patrons of Bull Run Library”.
Having an unofficial library website that is fascinating to me. Normally when I see an “unofficial” publication, it’s usually dishing dirt or criticizing something. But the Bull Run Library is doing what a normal library website does: promoting library services, resources, and events. Below are screen shots of both the wiki (one the left) and the official library site (on the right). I’ve circled in red the two things that I most often look for when I go to a library website: the catalog and info about opening and closing hours. In the case of the wiki, I’ve circled both its link to WorldCat and the official Bull Run Library Catalog.
When I compare the official library website and unofficial library website next to each other, I have to say I like the unofficial wiki better. It’s, well, friendlier. The official website is useful but it’s part of a county government site and its style reflects this setting. It has no really interactivity or Web 2.0 services built into it. The feeling I get when I look at the two sites is that there are people behind the wiki and there is an organization behind the county run site.
Wiki’s can be edited by large numbers of people (such as with Wikipedia) or by a single person. In this case, the Bull Run Library Wiki appears to be mainly a one person operation. However, it does allow comments for each of its pages and this, at the very least, gives the community an outlet for interacting and communicating. I think it would be neat to see more people editing the wiki. I know that if I was a patron of that library, I’d be interesting in editing it to make it more user friendly.
The wiki is a bit confusing to navigate. Unlike a blog, a wiki software doesn’t necessarily have a structure with an easy to navigate table of contents built into it. Instead, there’s often a link to a list of all pages in alphabetical order. Unless, it’s directly linked, navigating this list is a bit hard because you kind of have to know where you want to go before you go there (rather than just browsing from one related page to another). In this case, there are 72 pages on the wiki site and most are buried unless you click link labeled “pages and files”. Someone who has never used a wiki before might have trouble finding some of the more obscure sections.
I’m very curious what the official library position on the wiki is. As far as I can tell, they don’t link to it nor mention it anywhere on their site. The wiki has it’s disclaimer but it does link to the library website. I think a wiki that is both library sponsored or endorsed but patron run would be very interesting. I’m sure it’s out there.
Ultimately, the Bull Run Library Wiki represents one of the best arguments I’ve seen for a library to embrace Web 2.0: if you don’t, your patrons might just do it for you.
(Images: Screen shots of the Bull Run Library Wiki and the Bull Run Library Website)
