Wikipedia:GLAM/MGS/3rd Month Report

Projects delivered in the past month
12 images uploaded to commons:category:Glasgow Museums GLAMWiki in early March, missed from earlier report. Also missed were improvements to Catherine Carswell page (1040 bytes), and new stub article Jane Gaugain (3,392 bytes).

The second meeting of the Wiki Working Group was held on 8 April, and minutes then sent to all members. We reflected on the last meeting, discussed COI, future events, how to achieve sustainability in the project, and the benefits to the organisation from image donations. The working group has been set up in order to continue the GLAMWiki partnership once the residency is finished, drawing membership from those who have undergone curator wiki training. Another meeting will be held before the end of the residency, with the aim of setting directions for future action.

Objectives & outcomes
Developing Open Knowledge

Publicity for the editathon on 7 May has begun, we currently have two sign ups. I have identified a number of articles for creation or improvement, and we are working with the Showpeople to identify more.

Following the meeting with legal (see below) the Wiki Working group has been asked to identify areas of the collection which we can put forward for a potential image donation.

Develop, involve and engage WMUK volunteers

Work has been done around harnessing the enthusiasm of curatorial staff, and trying to engage the wiki community around the Museums’ content through conversations with individual curators and encouragement from those who have shown interest in editing in personal time, or being involved with volunteer editors / events.

Much work has been done around the Editathon planned for 7 May as a way of engaging some of the Scottish & Glasgow community, including individual messages on talk pages of Wikimedians in Scotland, with limited success. The event has been listed on Glasgow Museums & Riverside Museum Facebook, Glasgow Life website, and local Yelp noticeboard. This is in addition to the Showpeople community reaching out to a group of enthusiasts they know, and reaching out to those within their community who may be interested.

I will attend the Scot Wiki meetup on 22 April with Ally Crockford.

Reducing barriers to accessing open knowledge

A meeting was held with Glasgow Museums’ Licensing Manager and Glasgow City Council’s legal department concerning the first steps toward securing an image release. There are a number of issues which must be dealt with in order that we advance the project in this respect, mainly around permission being given to release images on an open license, but it was felt that a solid start was made. We are aiming to approach the relevant council committee with a proposal which includes suggested images for release. This work will then be continued once my residency has finished, with the hope that cultural change regarding open licensing can be begun.

On 3 April I presented to eight staff at the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art Friday briefing about the residency, and the benefits of WMUK and an open knowledge approach.

Developing, supporting & engaging with other Wikimedia & Open Knowledge communities

I attended Museums Galleries Scotland’s Digital Transformation: Supporting Culture Shift in Museums conference at the Lighthouse on 27 March. This was an excellent event which gave me many opportunities to speak to and network with individuals from across the Scottish museums sector, and the residence was mentioned in three speakers' content. One meeting with an attendee to discuss the residency and the opportunities inherent in a GLAMWiki partnership has already been secured.

I have joined the Digital Transformation Network’s online discussion space on LinkedIn, this has allowed me to connect with an additional contact made at the conference.

Projects in Development

 * Agreement reached for Kelvingrove Museum, Kelvin Hall, and Riverside Museum involvement in Photographic event at Glasgow Museums. Summer date under discussion, setting date for meeting to discuss between partners.


 * Presentation to be made at Glasgow Museums’ Insight Cafe event on 22 April.


 * Two Curator Training sessions have been scheduled (23rd April & 5th May), with 15 participants over the two sessions booked to attend so far.


 * Handover with Ally Crockford planned for when her residency at National Library of Scotland ends.