Wikimedia+Libraries/Program/Submission/Use Of Wikipedia To Empower Johannesburg Communities To Profile Their Identities

Title of your proposal

Use Of Wikipedia To Empower Johannesburg Communities To Profile Their Identities

Name(s) and/or username(s)

JEFF, NYOKA, User:JeffNyoka

A MEMBER OF LIASA(LIBRARY AND INFORMATION ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA, MANAGER FOR ELEARNING IN LIBRARIES

Topic

• Advocacy and Outreach in Local Contexts

Type of submission (Please choose one)

• Individual Presentations (15 minutes)

Keywords and hashtags

COMMUNITY PROFILING, DIGITAL LITERACY, JOHANNESBURG HISTORY

Abstract

City of Johannesburg (COJ) is a metropolitan municipality within Gauteng Province in South Africa (SA), with a population of more than 6 million citizens, almost 10 percent of the SA population. It is the biggest city in SA. COJ Library and Information Services (LIS), under Community Development, serves a multicultural community that consists of rural and semirural, and urban areas. COJ LIS is driven by this community profile, to promote lifelong learning, literacy, reading development, and social cohesion through free and guided access to information, focusing on early childhood development, educational support, information literacy, and digital literacy for all. The introduction of eLearning services in COJ libraries was part of the digital transformation process of libraries. eLearning services consist of the provision of free WIFI, ICT tools were possible and digital literacy programs. The use of digital platforms such as websites, apps, and ICT tools such as mobile devices and other technologies is necessary to transform libraries and provide access to relevant digital content for the communities. Wikipedia is one of the best free digital platforms that is underutilized by Johannesburg libraries to profile the communities within 7 Johannesburg regions. Johannesburg has a rich history of immigrants and migrants and their experiences that are not documented. Under the guidance of the eLearning office, in 2020 COJ LIS, began introducing librarians to the possibilities presented by Wikipedia when the AFLIA association introduced the #AfLibWk #1Lib1ref – as part of the African Library week. Wikipedia space provides opportunities for Johannesburg communities to record their history, arts and culture, community developments, and significant events. This can be done with the guidance and support of librarians within branches. COJ libraries have an internship program that includes graduates from library science and from other fields of study who will be engaged in the Wikipedia project for oral history recording, transcribing, and other tasks within the regions. Currently, the outgoing Interns were guided into compiling community profiles of each library they serve. These will be incorporated into Wikipedia pages. COJ Libraries also initiated Senior Citizens digital skills programs where the senior citizens were trained on basic computer skills and then coached on writing their life stories. This project can also include training seniors to work with librarians on Wikipedia projects and tell their stories. Johannesburg city also has a rich history and active arts and culture where some artists and their projects are not recorded and are forgotten if they don’t have digital archives. City libraries can play a role in assisting artists to use Wikipedia to archive their stories.

Expected outcomes

GUIDANCE ON TRAINING LIBRARIANS TO DO OUTREACH AND TO EDIT

Duration (without Q&A)

10-15 MINUTES

Specific requirements

NO

Interested attendees (Please add yourself, and you may indicate your questions to the presenter).

1. JEFF NYOKA
2. Laurie Bridges, Bridges2Information
3. Walkuraxx (talk) 06:40, 19 June 2022 (UTC)