Cultural partnerships/TWAM residency report
- End Report
Wikimedian in Residence Robert Forsythe with Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums at Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne. April to June 2013.
Summary
This three month residency in Newcastle and surrounds has concluded. The summary of outputs is on the project page
Additionally certain other pages offer an overview of the detail of what has taken place. These are
TWAMWIR contributions which summarises all edits in the life of the residency. It can be compared with my private account Robertforsythe .
TWAMWIR’s full edit count is. That summarises on 21st June 2013 to:
First edit: Apr 03, 2013 17:48:30
Unique pages edited: 137
Average edits per page: 7.28
Live edits: 997
Similar information in respect of Wikimedia Commons is here
Project Page
A core element of the residency has been a constantly changing Project Page evidencing what has been done in main threads. The URL is given at the report outset.
Five teaching texts were generated. Amongst others suggested, an outstanding subject for TWAM staff to take forward is The Armstrong No 1 gun. Another notable text which “took off” was Charles de Lacy . The latter scored by introducing a major new artist to Wikipedia, changing the category title to remove confusion, adding a Sunderland connection and finding 13 new pieces of artwork from the painter in TWAM collections. There is almost certainly more.
Resulting Stats
The Wikipedia statistic system means the effectiveness of these pages can be studied. Examples:
At a regional (TWAM) level creating Jimmy Forsyth was as significant as Charles De Lacy. The latter though viewed at the world wide Wikipedia level is clearly more popular.
There was some disappointment at the service in the appearance of a “banner” within this article. This opens a wider subject which is the rather different starting point the average Wiki editor and the average TWAM staff member occupy. In essence Wiki’s editing system now appears rather dated and not encouraging to new editors (need to edit in code and not “drag and drop”). This disincentivises key managers who are particularly busy from seeking to make the changes sought.
Digitised Interpretation
At interview this was flagged as an opportunity. I am pleased to say that the project page confirms this was achieved in four specific target areas including the new showpiece A History of the North East in a 100 objects website.
Commons Uploads
The full tally is 50 odd items. Elsewhere the report makes comment about what is needed for that to be a greater figure. Those uploaded full into several groups. Images the resident took himself (mainly and very usefully in its ability to work in a tight dark space) on an i-pad. This ability to upload own take images to mobilise new features was very useful. Another group represent postcards and prints of the Brazilian battleship Minas Geraes. A further group covers selected items from Archives 450/1. This turned into a highly significant find whose usage could continue greatly. It is discussed here.
That discussion is very interesting. Wikipedia has a complex relationship with primary sources which the Archives generally are. A clear ability to use properly cited and publicly accessible archival material would be a step forward Wikipedia could make. It probably is the case that given enough referencing this can be done and that we have actually done it to Wikipedia’s benefit. At the outset this was a concern archivists flagged saying they had had previous unfortunate experiences. Additionally in the case of 450/1 the interest comes in the ephemeral nature of the material, something the resident brought prior knowledge of. The items were not manuscript, they were printed, they had been distributed, selections had been bound sometime after origination. It is known that the bare printed item is now very rare. I have always thought Ephemera is an undervalued resource and 450/1 is a magnificent example of the argument and I rate one of the high spots of the residency that the item has been shared with Wikipedia.
A final group of items has reflected previous interpretation leaflets of the service. This sort of material is not available today. In the 1970s and 1980s a very good number were produced and could present original research. A considerable number of scans were made and a large but not complete percentage of the planned uploads made and then links into features. Why are they not all uploaded? Tracing the items in museum or archive accessions was not easy. In part it relied on my prior knowledge that somehow they could be found. Those found were in varying condition and varied in their applicability in being uploaded today (suppose the items were no longer in the collection). In one or two cases I scanned a poor example hoping to find a better one and to upload that. Adrian Osler’s review of Tyne Shipping being an example c1980 and not as of now uploaded. In the Commons uploads these show as blue headed documents in the main. If a volunteer wanted one of those “nice if we have the time” jobs, this project could be completed. I think it will find take up in viewers through time.
The Wikimedia Community
As at 21st June 2013, 24 new editors had been inducted into the Wikimedia Community through the residency.
Amongst the community not directly associated with TWAM, a “more than an edit” relationship has been engaged in with SteKrueBe , Christoph Braun, Pigsonthewing, Andrew Gray(MV Murree), Jenny Lemke (Medingen Abbey), The ed17, Kablammo, Trappist the monk and Madame La Bonche . In response to requests specifically made about the Brazilian Battleship Minas Geraes at the project outset a set of launch period postcards was found and a selection put to Commons and subsequently others edited into articles.
This thread then led to the unexpected discovery of Charles De Lacy artwork for the vessel. Two De Lacy images of the ship were found. One was uploaded to Commons and used in an article. Discussion with these examples about exactly how much to upload to Commons led to debate (with no clear resolution) about exactly what quantities of archival accessions should go to Commons (samples or an entire set under a reference?).
All the uses made have been credited to the service. An example of the result is File:Brazilian battleship Minas Geraes being launched 1.jpg , used in three features, one is Minas Geraes-class battleship . Usage stats for that over the last 30 days 1470 views.
The relationship with the Community was fostered by training events. The resident attended London twice (once for the GLAMWiki conference). He organised seven training events detailed in the project page which were a mix of inward facing (staff) and outward facing events. They took place at Discovery and off site. Along the way, some challenges appeared with easily accessing internet ready kit in appropriate numbers for group editing sessions. Solutions were found but a recommendation will be made that free Wifi access is needed in public areas of the service and one may be sure that with every passing week, the lack thereof will glare more.
Within the Tyne & Wear area it is clear that given time, numerous further events could be organised. These would include staff and volunteers at TWAM and other related heritage agencies. I have no doubt that the demand and interest can be fostered but building relationships (to get invites) takes time. This has been clearly got underway,
Forward:
New Material
TWAM staff to commit to generate “Armstrong No 1 Gun” on Wikipedia either directly or in assisting other editors.
Editathons
Although a remote editathon did not take place, considerable discussion about it did and subjects were identified. The mummy Bakt en Hor at the Great North Museum and the Charles De Lacy holding of 450/1 and 696/7/15 in the archives are two specific examples. John Coburn is willing to enable a Skype based editathon to take place using one specific piece of kit that he has. I very much hope that this will go into key staff member’s diaries as a future event.
Charles De Lacy
The service could consider putting through all its policy hoops (recognising this does not happen fast) a proposal that a Charles De Lacy exhibition is mounted and that thereby the Wikipedia page and community will be further engaged with. I have no doubts that the content and the story for a thoroughly heavyweight exhibition worth being seen at several TWAM venues exists. It could travel further. A local lad!
Photo Uploads
We do not leave the service with a commonly agreed and functioning set of guidelines for staff to use when uploading items either directly to Wikimedia Commons or taking items from the previously uploaded TWAM stream at Flickr and wishing to re-upload to Wikimedia Commons. Developing such guidelines could be an assigned task to a member of staff.
In tandem I would advocate a policy being developed through TWAM management which lead to a statement along the lines of “within a (set, say 5) year period, this service will upload to Wikimedia Commons up to (a set, say 3%) of its image holding”.
Technology
It is safe to assume that a steadily growing public desire for free Wifi when in public institutions is present. Using Wikimedia is made vastly easier when a generally available Wifi system is present. I would recommend TWAM work to install same throughout their facilities.
To Close
I would very much like to thank all the staff and volunteers at TWAM. They all came with varying degrees of Wiki knowledge at the outset. I am sure that has changed a lot for many of them. They were all very welcoming and it has been an honour to get an insider’s view of the service and its collections. I would also thank Daria and Jonathan at Wikimedia UK and the various editors outside Tyne & Wear (a few I actually met) who I have engaged with.