Shut not your doors to me proud libraries,
For that which was lacking on all your well-fill'd shelves,
yet needed most, I bring,— Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
Wikipedia Loves Libraries is an ongoing campaign to introduce librarians and Wikipedians who wish to collaborate. This typically happens in the context of a library hosting Wikipedians for a presentation to the general public. At these events, the resources of the library are compared and contrasted with Wikipedia, and attendees are encouraged to use each for their respective strengths and as they complement each other. There is an annual tradition to host wiki-workshops and edit-a-thons at libraries around Open Access Week in October/November.
The advantages of the Wikipedia Loves Libraries model:
- easy to organize, even at small public libraries
- welcoming to everyone, Wikipedians, Librarians and all library patrons
- it's "the living reference section"
- also, it's fun!
See the Wikipedia Loves Libraries Portal.