Wikipedia talk:Wikipedia Signpost/2022-08-31/Serendipity


 * I love the idea! I've always felt frustrated at what libraries are like here in the Netherlands, and comparing our list article with a single county of the US is already making it look very weird. I'm not entirely sure how to interact with Dutch libraries, I prefer second-hand bookstores. Maybe I'll take a picture of my favorite ^_^ – I can at least take a picture of the libraries in and around Hoorn for this project, though :) ~ Maplestrip/Mable ( chat ) 11:51, 1 September 2022 (UTC)


 * This is a superb idea indeed. In Boise, Idaho alone plans are afoot for the Library! (stylized as such) downtown to be razed and replaced in some glorious fashion, and the original Carnegie Library, defunct since 1973, is in private hands and being renovated for the umpeenth time. And then there are such gems the Unabomber's library of choice... https://www.lclibrary.org/145/Lincoln kencf0618 (talk) 14:01, 2 September 2022 (UTC)


 * I would also like to join in! Im based in London, UK and travel around a bit. It would be good to determine which libraries do not have photos? Can a list of libraries internationally/in regions be created using Wikidata, and either (I dont know this bit) automate a list of which libraries do not have photos OR as volunteers go through and list them? Rhagfyr (talk) 16:18, 2 September 2022 (UTC)


 * See Wikidata Project Libraries. &  -- Vysotsky (talk) 17:15, 2 September 2022 (UTC)

«In February 2020, a volunteer collected data from more than 8000 libraries in Spain and incorporated them into Wikidata. However, not all of them have a free photograph in Wikimedia Commons that can illustrate their item in Wikidata or their article in Wikipedia. The same happens with libraries around the world. Therefore, from Wikimedia Spain we launched the campaign No library without photography, with the aim of getting images of photographs of libraries under free license. Although it is aimed at the whole society, through it we want to involve especially librarians, as a way to approach the Wikimedia ecosystem and to participate in the dissemination of knowledge. In addition to creating a specific campaign in Commons, there is also the possibility of participating through the WikiShootMe! tool, where the libraries in Spain that do not yet have a photo are displayed, and uploading the images directly from there.» Information from: This Month in GLAM – Volume XII, Issue I, January 2022
 * No library without a photograph (Ninguna biblioteca sin fotografía) [See: w:es:Wikiproyecto:Bibliotecología/Ninguna biblioteca sin fotografía ]


 * See also the wikiproject: Wikiproyecto Bibliotecología (Library Science wikiproject) or contact us:, and Madamebiblio (talk) 23:08, 2 September 2022 (UTC)


 * We need a map on the phone. Anytime I'm in a place I haven't been lately, or ever, I open the WikiShootMe site and look for red dots. It isn't quite the same as a map of places with no Commons pictures, and it doesn't distinguish libraries from playgrounds, theaters, and other targets until I tap the dot, but generally I just walk to the nearest few red dots and photograph them regardless, turning them green. 'Twould be pleasant to replace the dot with a symbol. Anyway I've done a few dozen library exteriors within 20 miles of my Manhattan home, but not nearly a majority, and very few interiors. Jim.henderson (talk) 01:39, 3 September 2022 (UTC)


 * I'd join in. I would love to have Wikidata items as well as photos, though that is a bit harder. For good WD, you need to distinguish between the buildings and the institutions which occupy and run them (Q6133813, Q63468534, Q111593928), and find historical information for start and end dates. Having the data items could power tools like WikiShootMe, which I confess I haven't yet used. I see coordinating some standards for Data structure and Commons templates could be important related activities. Thumbs-up for both "#1lib2pics" and "Wiki Loves Libraries", though I wonder whether the prospect of a Wiki Loves competition would cause people to hold their pics for competition month instead of uploading them straight away. Perhaps "uploaded in the last year" would be an appropriate entry criterion (or you could have two categories). ⁓ Pelagic ( messages ) 10:40, 3 September 2022 (UTC)


 * Actually, a day or two most weeks, I do bits of a much broader project. Today and yesterday, walking through places I don't see every month, I brought up WikShootMe and adjusted my route to hit red dots. I don't like WSM so much for the actual shoot and upload, so when I found a target (many Wikidata items are for a building that was demolished decades ago) I brought up Commons App which supplies a form to fill out. The targets I found this weekend were mostly community gardens yesterday and office buildings today; I already shot the libraries years ago or someone else did. So, yes. Use WSM everywhere and, if you like, Commons App as well. Might be pleasant to have symbols to show which red dots are libraries, or a feature to select only libraries or only churches or street clocks or statues or bodies of water or whatever specialty, but even a map full of red dots for all kinds of potential target is not a reason to shun them. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jim.henderson (talk • contribs) 21:16, 4 September 2022 (UTC)


 * There is a libraries-related Wikidata group, which meets weekly, with next meeting tomorrow September 6. Quote from "Wikidata weekly summary #535":"Next Linked Data for Libraries LD4 Wikidata Affinity Group call September 6, 2022: Dominic Byrd-McDevitt will talk about the Digital Public Library's Wikimedia program, an effort to provide national leadership around access and discoverability of digital collections by leveraging Wikipedia and its sister projects. 2 years ago, DPLA launched a digital asset pipeline to enable participating institutions in the DPLA network to share their collections with Wikimedia Commons. DPLA is continuing to innovate by taking advantage of Wikidata entities and Structured Data on Commons to continually synchronize data and improve discoverability. We'll discuss issues around large datasets, aggregation, reconciliation, and other challenges DPLA has faced. Agenda"
 * Perhaps that group and/or Digital Public Library of America itself, with huge agendas, could be involved in much smaller task of just getting photos of libraries? --Doncram (talk) 00:01, 6 September 2022 (UTC)


 * Interestingly, KLM's September in-flight magazine has a multi-page photo spread about amazing libraries around the world. There are some pretty stunning libraries out there! MeegsC (talk) 21:19, 6 September 2022 (UTC)


 * I'm really interested, but in a country like mine unfortunately going around looking for *something* town by town is something that is denied for personal safety reasons until further notice. Personally, wherever I go I take pictures of libraries in Mexico, so I will continue to do so and I remain attentive to ideas that may arise to organize it. ProtoplasmaKid (talk) 16:27, 15 September 2022 (UTC)


 * Could we at least have a commons category for images that are added under this project? That would provide some minimum organization. Maybe sub cats by nation?--agr (talk) 15:39, 16 September 2022 (UTC)
 * Splendid idea. Here you go: Category:1lib2pics. Subcats will follow if needed. Vysotsky (talk) 23:34, 16 September 2022 (UTC)
 * Very nice. – Philosopher Let us reason together. 02:36, 20 September 2022 (UTC)


 * This is a great idea. Here in Roseville, California, we have a very cool library. I'll collect some images.AlexisRUS Z (talk) 19:40, 22 September 2022 (UTC)


 * Wonderful project. I teach a course in library history and one assignment is to document a local library with a photo which I then make optional that it be added to Wikimedia Commons. The students tried to add articles about specific libraries to Wikipedia and these are often deleted by editors many of whom don't think libraries are notable. Because this discourages students, I now encourage posting image and then--as you suggest--add these to articles about counties or cities. It would be grand to have images of all libraries.Kmccook (talk) 12:55, 30 September 2022 (UTC)
 * Just a note on anyone pursuing this idea (which I consider worthy): I went to my small town's library (which is housed in different rooms on different floors of our village hall; it does not have its own building) and after discreetly taking a picture from the upstairs balcony went downstairs and asked the guy at the front desk if it was OK for me to take a picture down there. He said there were privacy issues and I could only do so if the library director (a woman with whom I am, thankfully, acquainted) gave permission. I haven't yet been able to see her about this, but while I'm optimistic that she'll like the idea, other readers deciding to do this should be mindful that this may be an issue, particularly in smaller libraries. Daniel Case (talk) 19:51, 30 September 2022 (UTC)


 * I've just uploaded a photo of the exterior of the (brand new) public library in Uithoorn, the Netherlands, on Uithoorn on NL. I've also taken a photo of the interior but I have to obtain permission for publication. (While libraries are open to the public, they are not seen as "public spaces", and it is up to the organisation in charge to allow photos being taken. Also, the architect might well claim intellectual property rights. I made sure that no persons are visible in the picture.) Perhaps it helps that I'm a volunteer with this library: I've asked the lady in charge of coordinating the activities of the volunteers to forward my request to the head of the Department of Unusual Requests. I'll keep you informed. Kind regards, MartinD (talk) 09:21, 9 October 2022 (UTC)


 * Love this idea - I tried really hard to get library workers to add to a flickr group I set up when working for a national libraries taskforce, to collect free-to-use images of libraries, but most of the photos in that group I think I took! All are cc marked, and all I think have been added to wikimedia. I'm also researching the Carnegie legacy in England and Wales - and would love to work with someone more expert in wikipedia editing than me to improve the wikipedia page on Carnegie libraries in Europe (which is mostly a list at the moment) to incorporate more of the information I've collated from a range of sources including local newspapers and library visits - which I currently publish on a website. Apologies, I haven't got a formal wikipedia ID 146.198.55.57 (talk) 17:51, 30 October 2022 (UTC)


 * Update on my post of 9 October: I'm still awaiting permission to upload the photo of the interior. It seems that nobody in the management is willing to assume the position of Head of the Department of Unusual Questions. A bit odd, considering that being asked unusual questions is part and parcel of a librarian's job. But the lady in charge of coordinating the activities of the volunteers has assured me that I will get an answer, one way or the other. Hope it will be a positive one.;) KInd regards, MartinD (talk) 11:16, 30 November 2022 (UTC)