Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Enhancing Library Collaboration through Linked Open Data and Wikibase (ID: 22588539)
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Applicant Details[edit]
- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
Ugwulebo
- Organization
N/A
- If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)
N/A
- Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)
Main Proposal[edit]
- 1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.
Enhancing Library Collaboration through Linked Open Data and Wikibase
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2024-06-01 - 2024-08-31
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Nigeria
- 5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)
Not applicable
- 6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)
Libraries serve as repositories of knowledge, offering access to a wealth of reliable information resources. However, no single library can fulfill all the diverse needs of its user community. Hence, the need for collaboration and cooperation among libraries. Collaboration among libraries is essential for efficient and effective service delivery. Despite this understanding among librarians, many libraries operate independently, lacking connectivity and failing to share bibliographic data and resources. The lack of collaboration often stems from a lack of awareness and training in utilizing available platforms for cooperation. To address this issue, the implementation of Wikibase and linked open data is crucial. Wikibase.cloud, developed by Wikimedia Deutschland, provides numerous benefits for libraries and facilitates cooperation among them. Building on the experiences and knowledge gained from the Wikibase in Nigerian Libraries Pilot project coordinated by User: Omorodion1 in 2023, we aim to introduce Wikibase to four tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. These institutions include the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University, Ignatius Ajuru University, and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. Through this initiative, we seek to enhance collaboration and resource sharing among libraries in the region. To achieve this, we will carry out capacity building initiatives to equip the librarians in the selected institution, as well as help set up knowledge bases of linked open data in the selected institutions.
Consequently, the project will employ a variety of strategies to achieve the overall goal set out in this project. The main strategies for achieving the changes proposed in this project will include:
Capacity Building: This is one of the key strategies that will ensure the actualization of the project goals. It will include building the capacity of librarians in the selected institutions to understand linked open data and work effectively in the Wikibase.Cloud environment.
Building Knowledge base of linked open data in the selected institutions: In addition to building the capacity of librarians in the different institutions, the project will also help set up knowledge bases in the different institutions by helping them create and populate their Wikibase instance accounts.
Data-a-thon: This will include populating the Wikibase instances with bibliographic data from the library and linking them with relevant repositories and library catalogue to enhance accessibility and visibility for the records.
- 7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.
The following key activities will be carried out as part of the strategies identified for this project:
Linked Open Data and Wikibase Workshop: We will organize two online trainings and three in-person workshops focused on linked open data for librarians and Wikibase. It is hoped that through this workshop, librarians in Port Harcourt will be trained to navigate the Wikibase.cloud infrastructure as well as how to set up and populate their own Wikibase instances.
Setting Up of Wikibase Instances for the Libraries: A key activity for this project will be to guide librarians in Port Harcourt to set up their own Wikibase.Cloud account and subsequently set up Wikibase instances for their libraries
Data-a-thon: In order to populate the Wikibase instances from the different participating institutions, we will organize series of data-a-thons across the institutions to populate the Wikibase instances with the library bibliographic data, while linking it with an external identifier. Efforts will be made to connect the bibliographic materials in the Wikibase instances to existing repositories like the library catalogue.
Create a documentation page on Meta-Wiki and set up online platforms for coordination of the project.
Recruit librarians and other volunteers that will participate in the project.
- 8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.
We have an experienced team to implement this project. They include:
User: Ugwulebo (Project Lead) - User Ugwulebo is an experienced Wikimedian and Librarian. He is the co-founder of the Port Harcourt Wikimedia Hub. He has organized several Wikimedia projects in Nigeria. As a librarian and participant of the Pilot Wikibase in Nigerian Libraries Project, User Ugwulebo has the experience to lead this project.
User: Omorodion1 (Volunteer Co-Lead and Facilitator) - Omorodion1 is a seasoned Wikimedian with extensive experience in coordinating Wikimedia events. As the coordinator of the Wikibase in Nigerian Libraries Project, User Omorodion1 brings invaluable expertise to the table. Additionally, with a rich background as a versatile librarian, User Omorodion1 possesses a wealth of practical experience in Librarianship and in the use of Wikibase. Having completed the Organizer Lab course and facilitated numerous Wikimedia events within and outside Nigeria, user Omorodion1 is well-equipped to serve as a co-lead and facilitator for this project, bringing forth a breadth of knowledge, skills and experience.
- 9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)
The target participants for this project are librarians in four tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The institutions include University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University, Ignatius Ajuru University, and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. The librarians will be recruited, trained and guided to navigate their way using the Wikibase.Cloud. The participants will mainly be domiciled in Port Harcourt. We will create a virtual group that will aid communication during and after the on-boarding process. Given that some of the librarians are already members of the Port Harcourt Wikimedia Community, we will follow-up using the Whatsapp group for the community, while also encouraging new participants to join the community. This will help in the retention of editors within the community.
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
No
- 10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.
N/A
- 11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.
I discussed the project with the library community in Rivers State via their Whatsapp group and they were excited about it. I also discussed with some members of the Wikibase in Nigerian Libraries team. Their suggestions and advice helped shaped this proposal.
On wiki, I announced this project in the discussion page of the Port Harcourt Wikimedia Hub. See link below https://meta.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimedia_User_Group_Nigeria/_Port_Harcourt_Wikimedia_Hub#Enhancing_Library_Collaboration_through_Linked_Open_Data_and_Wikibase
I equally announced this project in the discussion page of the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria. See link below:
https://meta.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Talk:Wikimedia_User_Group_Nigeria#Enhancing_Library_Collaboration_through_Linked_Open_Data_and_Wikibase
- 12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Other Important Topics (topics considered to be of impact or important in the specific context)
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Open Technology
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Digital Access
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Invest in Skills and Leadership Development
Learning and metrics[edit]
- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
Do the target participants have the necessary skill set and resources to manage a knowledge base of linked open data? How much does the participants know about best practices in metadata management? Will the participants be interested in joining a community of practice of linked open data in Nigeria in order to foster collaboration among libraries?
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 32 | This will comprise 30 librarians and two organizers, where at least 15 of the librarians will be new participants. |
| Number of editors | 32 | All 32 participants are expected to edit a Wiki related project as a result of this proposal. |
| Number of organizers | 2 | The project will have two core organizers |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | |
| Wikimedia Commons | 100 |
| Wikidata | 500 |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | |
| Wikiversity | |
| Wikinews | |
| Wikispecies | |
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
- Optional description for content contributions.
This project will primarily focus on Wikibase and each institution will be expected to create atleast 500 items in their Wikibase instances. Thus, a total of 2000 items will be expected to be created across four Wikibase Instances. In addition, participants will also be encouraged to create Wikidata items during the data-a-thon.
- 19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)
Yes
| Main Open Metrics | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Wikibase Items | This project will primarily focus on Wikibase and each institution will be expected to create atleast 500 items in their Wikibase instances. Thus, a total of 2000 items will be expected to be created across the four Wikibase Instances from the four institutions. In addition, participants will also be encouraged to create Wikidata items during the data-a-thon. | 2000 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
- 20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)
We will use a combination of the outreachdashboard and the project documentation page on Meta-Wiki to measure and document the metrics from this project.
Financial proposal[edit]
- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
Link to budget: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eRqykjZMA1Pg2Zue2cyAvfZ8_Ss-9XDo9aEPSLw844Y/edit#gid=0
- 22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)
2036329.02 NGN
- 22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.
1450.83 USD
- We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.
Yes
Endorsements and Feedback[edit]
Please add endorsements and feedback to the grant discussion page only. Endorsements added here will be removed automatically.
Community members are invited to share meaningful feedback on the proposal and include reasons why they endorse the proposal. Consider the following:
- Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
- Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
- Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
- Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
- Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).