I will admit that I often use Wikipedia as a quick reference
point, especially if I am after information in a subject not completely foreign
to me. My kids usually object to
using it as a source because their teachers have taught them the unfortunate phrase
“wiki it up”.
Much to the kids disappointment though, I have been aware of
Wikipedia’s reliability issues for many years. In 2009 I was researching Andorran cuisine and wine
preparing to host a Tour de France party as the race traversed Andorra. It was not the easiest subject to
research, and when hunting for suitable party recipes with an Andorran (read cabbage
and smoked ham) flavour, I came across the Wiki entry for Andorra in my
digital travels. I clearly
remember the article discussing Andorra’s Navy and its coastal access –
interesting assertions for a country isolated atop the Pyrenean Mountains! Clearly a mischievous entry…
+ 
= 
?!
I think the library initiatives to improve Wikipedia are
great. Having read the suggested
articles, I checked the Wikipedia entry for the First Fleet and did find references
to documents and data held in the State Library of NSW, so clearl;y the efforts
to improve things are paying off.
The information as to how contributions to Wikipedia articles can increase
traffic to a library’s website (via linkages) was an interesting eye opener for
me and must be a temptation for libraries with great local history collections
or digital repositories which could be usefully shared and could attract
additional patronage of the library in question.
In many ways, particularly for speed and ease of access,
Wikipedia has replaced the ubiquitous sets of World Book or Britannica Encyclopaedias
that were once found in homes, school and libraries. It provides and quick and convenient reference source for
general information on a specific topic.
I love the dream of Jimmy Wales, one of the founders of Wikipedia, in which
we are urged to “Imagine a world in which every single
person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:About)
