The Wikimedia and Libraries User Group (WLUG) provides an open forum for conversation and coordinated action, bringing together Wikipedians, librarians, and information professionals worldwide who engage Wikimedia projects within academic, public, special, and private library communities.
About WLUG
Mission
Core Convictions
WLUG's Mission is to constitute an open forum for conversation and coordinated action among Wikimedia community members, librarians, and information professionals.
The group's central motivation is to share resources and best practices.
Wikipedians and librarians are natural allies in fostering information literacy.
Mutual dependence: Wikipedians depend on libraries for references and librarians for reference expertise.
Librarians should recognize Wikipedia as an imperfect but reliable source of knowledge.
Aspirations
The WLUG aspires to achieve the following strategic actions:
Community Networking: Meet other community leaders who work with libraries.
Strategic Alliances: Form partnerships with allies.
Events and Presence: Host events at institutions.
Comprehensive Outreach: Conduct outreach to national organizations or regional and international groups and consortia.
Special Focus (Strategy): Find ways to actively help libraries, librarians, donors, and bibliographic resources contribute to Wikimedia projects.
Steering Committee
Steering Committee Members (Click to Expand)
Current Term: July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027
Lilian Viana
Gayo Bah
Mehman Ibragimov
Focus Area: Governance & Strategy
Introduction: I am a librarian based in a Brazilian public university, holding a Ph.D. in Information Science. I'm one of the coordinators in the GLAM Bibliotecas da USP initiative and am an active Wikimedian, contributing primarily to Wikidata and Wikipedia. I also serve on the leadership team for the Every Book Its Reader campaign.
Introduction: Gayo a librarian with over 17 years of experience in the Bibliography Section of the Gambia National Library. Since 2023, he has been actively contributing to Wikimedia projects, with a strong focus on improving Gambian content on Wikipedia, Wikisource, and Wikidata.
Introduction: Mehman lives in Georgia, where he currently serves as the Executive Director of Wikimedia User Group Georgia. He represents the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region and he has been an administrator on the Georgian Wikipedia. Since 2019, he has led Wikimedia Georgia in building strong collaborations with educational and cultural institutions, including the National Library of Georgia.
Introduction: Orly is the Director of Technical Services at the National Library of Israel, leading major Wikimedia collaborations. In 2024, she co-led a GLAM Wiki Course with Wikimedia Israel titled “GLAM Institutions to the World of Wiki". She also lectures at David Yellin Academic College of Education, teaching Digital Libraries: Wikipedia, Librarians, and Libraries, and leads #1Lib1Ref campaigns in Israel. She has been a member of the WLUG steering committee in the past five years.
Introduction: Alejandra Quiroz Hernández is a book professional and library consultant with a background in philosophy from the University of the Cloister of Sor Juana. She previously coordinated Educational Services at the Vasconcelos Library, where she explored innovative approaches to library management in Mexico. Alejandra currently works as an editor, consultant, and certified infant massage instructor.
Introduction: Caroline Mwaura is a Kenyan librarian based in Nairobi. She is an active member of Wiki Loves Women, a project under the broader Wiki in Africa initiative. Since joining the Wiki Loves Women Focus Group in 2021, she has contributed to advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality); promoting gender equity and empowering women and girls through open knowledge. Caroline is also the Co-founder and Co-lead of the Wikimedia Community User Group Kenya.
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Facebook Wikimedia + Libraries: the intersection of Wikimedia and Libraries, and all the areas for potential collaboration between them.
Become a member: formally join the WLUG user group to support the mission and engage in our activities.
