Education/News/March 2026/Wikipedia & Libraries: Building New Contributors

Wikipedia & Libraries: Building New Contributors

Author: Yganyana

Summary: A 2-hour Wikipedia crash course trained 13 learners at the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) Buruburu branch as part of the Basic Computer Skills (BCS) Cohort 7 program. The session equipped the youth, preparing for tertiary education, with practical Wikipedia editing skills, while encouraging a shift from passive information consumption to active contribution to open knowledge.

Introduction to Wikipedia to BCS Cohort 7 class at KNLS, Buruburu

The session introduced Wikipedia as a learning and teaching tool, covering what Wikipedia is, how to create a Wikipedia Account, article structure, basic editing, referencing, and key basic rules. This aligns with KNLS’s mandate to promote literacy, research, and access to knowledge, while demonstrating the role of Wikimedia projects in digital skills development.

All learners engaged in practical editing exercises and developed skills in credible sourcing, collaboration, and content creation, while gaining confidence to contribute to global knowledge platforms. The training also introduced the learners to Wikimedia campaigns such as Wiki Loves Africa Kenya.

“I always thought Wikipedia was just for reading, but now I know I can also contribute and improve information,” — Victor

Participants engaged in a collaborative Wikipedia editing session at KNLS Buruburu.

This initiative highlights how libraries can integrate Wikimedia into education programs to strengthen digital literacy and support open knowledge ecosystems.

Call to action: Be ready to seize opportunities to raise awareness of Wikimedia projects and inspire participation in your community.

Facilitator demonstrating how to add a citation and reference